Nyolcadikat

Nyolcadikat is the accusative singular form of nyolcadik, the Hungarian ordinal meaning “the eighth.” It is used to refer to the eighth item in a sequence, typically when the noun it modifies is present or when the phrase stands as a noun substitute referring to “the eighth one.” The form arises from adding the definite direct-object ending -t to the definite noun phrase, in accordance with Hungarian grammar for the accusative case.

In practice, nyolcadikat appears when the noun it modifies is either elided or needs a definite object. For example: Keresd a nyolcadikat a sorban. (Look for the eighth one in the line.) A nyolcadikat kell megvizsgálni. (The eighth one must be examined.) When the noun is explicit, the corresponding nominative form would be nyolcadik, as in nyolcadik elem, nyolcadik nap, nyolcadik fejezet, while nyolcadikat serves the accusative usage.

Etymology and form: the word is built from nyolc (“eight”) with the ordinal suffix -adik/-edik, with the final form adjusted for the accusative case in combination with a definite noun phrase. Nyolcadikat thus belongs to the pair of forms used to express “the eighth” in different grammatical roles.

See also: nyolcadik, ordinal numbers in Hungarian, accusative case, Hungarian grammar.