Számhatározók

Számhatározók, also known as numeral adverbs or adverbs of number, are a specific category of adverbs in Hungarian grammar that express how many times an action or state occurs. They modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs by quantifying the frequency or repetition of the activity.

These adverbs typically answer questions like "how many times?" (hányszor?). Examples include words like "kétszer" (twice), "háromszor" (thrice or three times), "néha" (sometimes), "gyakran" (often), and "soha" (never). They are formed by adding a suffix, most commonly "-szor", "-szer", or "-ször", to cardinal numbers. The specific suffix used depends on vowel harmony rules within Hungarian. For instance, "kettő" (two) becomes "kétszer", while "öt" (five) becomes "ötször".

Non-numerical számhatározók, like "néha" or "gyakran", express varying degrees of frequency without specifying an exact number. These often derive from other word classes or are idiomatic expressions. Understanding számhatározók is crucial for accurately conveying the temporal aspect and frequency of events in Hungarian sentences. They play a significant role in modifying the meaning of predicates and providing nuanced information about the circumstances of an action.