datívusz

The datívusz, or dative case, is a grammatical case used in several languages to mark the indirect object of a verb—the recipient, beneficiary, or target of an action. The term comes from the Latin dativus, through later grammars.

In languages with explicit case markings, the dative is typically indicated by a distinct ending or clitic on the noun or pronoun. Its core function is to identify to whom or for whom something is done. For example, in the sentence “I give the book to the boy,” the boy is the recipient and is expressed in the dative.

Across languages, the exact form and use of the dative vary. In Latin, the indirect object is shown by the dative ending, as in puero librum do, “I give the book to the boy.” In German, the recipient is shown in the dative with a form like dem Mann in Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch. In Russian, the dative marks the beneficiar y or recipient, as in ya dayu mal’chiku knigu, “I give a book to the boy.” Hungarian, often described with the term datívusz, uses suffixes such as -nak/-nek on nouns or specialized pronouns (nekem, neked) to express the dative. For example, A fiúnak adom a könyvet means “I give the book to the boy.”

Some languages also distinguish additional dative meanings, such as ethical or experiential datives, or use prepositional phrases when explicit case marking is limited. Overall, the dative plays a central role in indicating recipients, beneficiaries, and related indirect objects in many grammatical systems.