esküdni

Esküdni is a Hungarian verb meaning to swear, to take an oath, or to promise solemnly. It covers formal contexts, such as oath-taking in courts, and more informal uses of making a strong promise. The related noun eskü refers to an oath, and the phrase esküt tenni specifically means to take an oath. Common expressions include Istenre esküszöm (I swear to God) and esküt tenni a vallomás előtt (to take an oath before testifying).

Usage and nuance: In everyday speech, esküdni can express a strong personal promise rather than a legal oath. In legal or ceremonial contexts it denotes the act of swearing to tell the truth, or to uphold duties. It is often used with religious or moral emphasis, as in Istenre esküszöm, or in secular contexts to guarantee something.

Grammar: Esküdni is a regular Hungarian -ni verb and follows standard conjugation. In the present tense the stem is esküsz-, and personal endings attach, e.g., én esküszöm, ő esküszik, mi esküszünk. Past tenses use the esküd- stem or the usual endings with the past participle esküdött in compound tenses.

See also: Eskü, the noun for oath.