Leállhat

Leállhat is a Hungarian verb form that expresses possibility or uncertainty: it means “may stop” or “could stop.” It is formed from the verb leáll, meaning “to stop” or “to shut down,” with the modal suffix -hat/-het, which marks potential mood. The suffix indicates that the stopping is not certain but possible under certain conditions.

In usage, leállhat is used to describe a situation in which stopping could occur. It is a finite verb, and like other -hat/-het forms, it conjugates for person and number. For example, in neutral, third-person singular sense: A motor leállhat. With different subjects and persons the form changes accordingly, such as én leállhatok (I might stop) or ők leállhatnak (they might stop), depending on appropriate personal endings in Hungarian conjugation.

The degree of modality conveyed by leállhat is modest and context-dependent; it does not express a firm intention or guarantee, only the possibility. It is commonly used in safety or forecast contexts to indicate that a stoppage could occur under certain circumstances, for instance due to overheating, power loss, or system errors.

Etymology and related forms: leállhat combines the prefix le-, which often indicates a separation or completion of an action, with the base leáll (to stop). Related expressions include leáll, leállítás (stopping or shutdown), and leállhat’s frequent counterpart for definite statement leállhat-e? (Can it stop?), depending on tense and mood. It is related to other modal -hat/-het forms such as mehet (may go) and bekaphat (could break, in different contexts).