Megtartjátok

Megtartjátok is the present tense, second-person plural form of the Hungarian verb megtartani, meaning to keep, retain, or preserve. It is used when addressing a group and indicating that they are currently performing the action of keeping or maintaining something.

Origin and morphology: The verb megtartani is formed from tartani “to hold, keep” with the prefix meg- and the second-person plural present suffix -játok. Therefore, megtartjátok literally means “you keep/retain (it).” The form agrees with a ti-subject and denotes present action.

Usage: Megettartjátok is used for concrete objects as well as abstract things that a group maintains. Examples: “Megtartjátok a jegyet az előadás végéig” (You keep the ticket until the end of the performance); “Megtartjátok a régi szokásokat” (You maintain the old customs). The form can appear in questions and in contexts where retention is emphasized, e.g., “Megtartjátok-e ezt a döntést?” (Do you retain this decision?)

Nuances and related forms: A common synonym is megőrizni, which emphasizes safeguarding for the future. The related phrases tartani meg or tartani is used in similar retention senses, with slight nuance differences; megtartani often stresses keeping something against loss, while tartani meg can focus more on the act of maintaining. The imperative form tartassátok meg exists for giving a direct command to a group to preserve something, though megtartjátok typically serves as the descriptive present.

See also: megtartani; megőrizni; tartani.