Mondatállítmány

Mondatállítmány is a term in Hungarian grammar referring to the predicate of a sentence—the part that states something about the subject. It is the core of predication and can include the verb and all elements that complete its meaning, such as objects, adverbials, and predicative complements. The predicate expresses action, state or event and determines the sentence’s meaning together with the subject.

There are two main types of mondatállítmány. Igei állítmány (verbal predicate) consists of a finite verb and any accompanying elements that complete the action or state. Examples: "Esik az eső." (The rain is falling.) "A fiú olvas egy könyvet." (The boy reads a book.) In these cases the predicate is formed around the finite verb and may include objects or modifiers.

Főnévi állítmány (nominal predicate) uses a noun or adjective as the predicative element, typically with a copula (van) or with a zero copula in present tense. Examples: "A diák okos." (The student is smart.) "A férfi orvos." (The man is a doctor.) In such sentences, the predicative word (noun or adjective) conveys the state or identity of the subject.

Hungarian allows flexible word order, but the predicate remains the syntactic nucleus of the clause. The finite verb in verbal predicates agrees with the subject in person and number; nominal predicates rely on case marking and agreement patterns rather than a fully overt copula in present usage.