Tehettek

Tehettek is a Hungarian verb that translates to "they could do" or "they were able to do" in English. It is the past tense, third-person plural form of the verb "tehet," which itself is derived from the root verb "tesz," meaning "to do" or "to make." The "het" suffix indicates possibility or ability. Therefore, "tehettek" specifically refers to a past action that someone or some group had the capacity to perform.

The usage of "tehettek" often implies that the action was either completed due to the ability of the subjects, or it was an option available to them that they might or might not have taken. For example, "A fiúk tehettek volna viccet a helyzetből" translates to "The boys could have made a joke out of the situation," highlighting a missed opportunity or an alternative course of action. Conversely, "A diákok tehettek mindent, amit a tanár megengedett" means "The students could do everything the teacher allowed," indicating the extent of their permitted actions. Understanding the context is crucial to fully grasp the nuance of "tehettek." It is a fundamental verb for expressing past potential or realized capability in Hungarian.