Megbántják

Megbántják is a Hungarian verb form used to express that a group of people regrets something. It is the third-person plural present indicative of the verb megbánt, whose core meaning is to feel remorse or regret about an action or statement. The form is transitive, typically taking a direct object or a clausal complement to specify what is regretted.

Morphology and usage

The verb megbánt combines the prefix meg- with bánt, the root meaning to hurt or wrong in a broad sense. In the sense of regret, megbántják means “they regret (something)” or “they feel remorse about (what happened).” It commonly appears with direct objects such as a noun phrase or with a subordinate clause describing the action that is regretted. Some example constructions include megbántják a döntésüket (they regret their decision) or megbántják, amit mondtak (they regret what they said).

Grammatical notes

Megbántják is the present tense, third person plural form. Other forms exist for different persons and tenses, such as megbántom (I regret) or megbántották (they regretted). The verb often collocates with expressions of consequence, such as hogy or amit, to connect the regret to a specific action or statement.

Etymology and nuances

Derived from bánt (to hurt or badger) with the prefix meg-, which in Hungarian often yields a perfective or intensified sense. In the regret sense, the prefix signals coming to a realization of remorse about a past action. The primary usage remains about feeling remorse rather than inflicting harm.

See also

megbánás (regret), megbántani (to regret, to cause someone harm in some contexts), megbántottság (remorse).