bírtak

bírtak is the third-person plural past tense form of the Hungarian verb bír, meaning to bear, endure, or tolerate. In use, bírtak translates roughly to "they could bear" or "they bore," depending on the context. It appears in narratives and descriptions to indicate that a group managed to endure a situation or load in the past.

Etymology and form: bírtak is derived from the verb bír, with a past tense suffix attached to the stem. It is used with a plural subject. The meaning can range from physical endurance to carrying a burden or meeting a challenge, and it can be followed by an object (for example, a burden or difficulty) to specify what was endured.

Usage: The form is common in both literary and everyday Hungarian. It often conveys capability or resilience in past events. It can be negated with nem bírták, meaning "they could not bear" or "they couldn’t endure." Examples include bírták a terhet (they bore the burden) or nem bírták ki a hosszú utat (they could not endure the long journey). The nuance depends on context, with potential emphasis on endurance, capacity, or management of a difficult situation.

Notes: bírtak is a standard, non-nominal verb form and is not a separate term or proper noun. It is used across varieties of Hungarian where past tense, plural subjects, and the notion of bearing or enduring are appropriate.