hallgatni

Hallgatni is a Hungarian verb meaning to listen or to hear with attention. It can also convey heed or obedience when following someone's advice or orders. Common constructions include hallgatni valakire (to listen to someone) and hallgatni valamit (to listen to something, for example a song or a speech). The action emphasizes receiving and processing sound or speech rather than simply hearing it.

Etymology and related forms: hallgatni derives from the root hall- meaning “to hear,” with the infinitive formed by the suffix -gatni. Related nouns include hallás (hearing) and hallgató, which means a listener or, in scholarly contexts, a person who attends lectures (a student or audience member).

Usage: hallgatni is widely used in everyday speech as well as formal language. It contrasts with figyelni, which means to pay attention more generally. The imperative forms are hallgass (informal singular) and hallgasson (formal singular); plural forms are hallgassatok and hallgassanak. Present and past tenses follow standard Hungarian conjugation: hallgatok, hallgatsz, hallgat, hallgatunk, hallgattok, hallgatnak; hallgattam, hallgattál, hallgatott, etc.

See also: hallgató, hallgatás, figyelés.

Examples: "Meg kell hallgatnunk a tanárt." "Hallgass rám!" "Este az adást hallgattam."