baráttal

Baráttal is the instrumental form of the Hungarian noun barát, meaning “with a friend.” It is used to express accompaniment or the means by which an action is performed. The form is created with the instrumental suffix -val/-vel; when added to a stem ending in a consonant, Hungarian orthography often produces a doubled consonant, yielding baráttal.

The instrumental can be used without specifying which friend, or with possessive references to indicate a particular person. For example, baráttal means “with a friend,” while barátommal means “with my friend,” and barátaimmal means “with my friends.” The construction typically answers questions like with whom or by what means.

Common usage includes actions performed together with someone or using someone as company or support. Example sentences: “A baráttal sétáltunk a parkban.” (We walked in the park with a friend.) “A kávézóban beszélgettem a baráttal.” (I talked with a friend at the cafe.) “A projektet baráttal együtt dolgoztuk meg.” (We worked on the project together with a friend.)

Notes on related forms: baráttal contrasts with barátommal or barátaimmal, which specify the speaker’s own friends. In plural contexts, other constructions such as barátokkal (with friends) are used.

See also: Hungarian grammar, instrumental case, suffix -val/-vel.