hallgatót

Hallgató is a Hungarian noun with two common meanings: a listener and a university student. The word is derived from the verb hallgatni, meaning “to listen.” In everyday language it most often refers to someone who attends lectures or courses, i.e., a student. It can also describe a person who listens, pays attention, or participates in a discussion, though this sense is less common in contemporary contexts.

Usage is gender-neutral and applies to both male and female individuals. When used to mean “student,” hallgató denotes someone enrolled at a higher education institution and who attends classes and lectures. The term can appear in various academic settings, such as universities and colleges, and is frequently found in official and informal contexts alike.

Morphology and declension follow standard Hungarian patterns. The base form is hallgató (nominative singular). The accusative singular is hallgatót, and the nominative plural is hallgatók, with the accusative plural hallgatókat. Other cases are formed according to ordinary Hungarian declension rules, for example with the appropriate suffixes for dative or instrumental uses.

Examples include: A hallgató figyel az előadásra. A tanár megkérte a hallgatót, hogy ismételje meg a mondatot. A hallgatók későn érkeztek az előadásra. These illustrate both meanings—listening and student—in standard sentences.