Megtörni

Megtörni is a Hungarian verb meaning to break. It is formed from the verb törni (to break) with the prefix meg-, which in Hungarian often signals completion or emphasis. The verb is transitive and typically requires a direct object in the accusative case. While its most literal sense is physical breaking, meg- can also indicate decisive action or a change that marks a threshold being crossed.

In everyday use, meg­törni can describe both tangible and abstract actions. Common literal uses include megtörni egy tárgyat (to break an object) or meggyőzni egy korlátot in a metaphorical sense. Figurative meanings include megtörni a jeget (to break the ice), megtörni a csendet (to break the silence), and megtörni a rekordot (to break a record). The prefix meg- adds a nuance of completion or a notable shift rather than a routine, ongoing action.

Usage notes: meg- with törni forms a perfective verb, so the action is framed as completed. The object is usually definite when present, and typical word order places the object after the verb. Like other Hungarian perfective verbs, it conjugates in the standard way for verbs ending in -ni, with the meg- prefix affecting the stem forms.

Examples:

- A futó megtörte a rekordot. (The runner broke the record.)

- A beszélgetés során megtörte a csendet. (During the conversation she broke the silence.)

- A vendégek megtörték a jeget. (The guests broke the ice.)