Megvárni

Megvárni is a Hungarian verb meaning to wait for someone or something until a specific moment or event occurs. It is the perfective form of várni, formed with the prefix meg-, which often signals completion or fulfillment of the action. The word is transitive and commonly used with a direct object referring to the thing or person waited for, or with a subordinate clause indicating the time or condition.

Etymology and form: meg- is a productive prefix in Hungarian that can change the aspect and meaning of verbs. When attached to várni, megvárni expresses waiting until an end point is reached. The verb is typically used with valakit or valamit in the accusative case (e.g., megvárom a barátomat, megvárom az érkezését), or with a clause indicating the time frame (e.g., megvárom, amíg visszatér).

Usage notes: Megvárni emphasizes that the waiting ends when a particular event happens or a condition is fulfilled. It contrasts with várni, which describes waiting in a more general or ongoing sense. Common contexts include waiting for someone to arrive, waiting for a signal, or waiting out a period until it is appropriate to act. In many sentences, megvárni conveys intent and determination to wait for the specified outcome.

Examples:

- Megvárom a barátomat. (I will wait for my friend.)

- Megvárom, amíg visszatér. (I will wait until he returns.)

- A válaszra meg kell várni a határidőt. (One must wait for the deadline for the answer.)

See also: várni, az időt wait out, meg- prefixes in Hungarian verbs.

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