igemódok

Ige módok, or igemódok, are grammatical categories that express the speaker's attitude toward the action of a verb. In modern Hungarian, the most important moods are the kijelentő mód (indicative), the feltételes mód (conditional), and the felszólító mód (imperative). Some grammars also discuss a kívánó vagy optatív mód (optative), mainly in literary or older language.

Kijelentő mód is used for statements of factual actions or events. It covers present, past, and future reference in typical declarative sentences. Examples: "Ma esik az eső." (Today it rains/it is raining.) "Mentem a boltba." (I went to the store.)

Feltételes mód is used for hypothetical, conditional, or polite expressions, often referring to conditions or potential outcomes. It is formed with suffixes such as -na/-ne and with or without auxiliary verbs like volna. Examples: "Megyek" in indicative would become "mennék" for “I would go,” "Ha mennél" for “If you went.”

Felszólító mód is used for commands, requests, or prohibitions. It has forms for second person singular and plural, and a formal third-person variant. Examples: "Menj!" (Go!), "Csináld!" (Do it!), with a polite form "Menjen!" often used in formal contexts.

Kívánó vagy optatív mód is occasional in contemporary use, primarily in literary or archaic language, to express wishes or invitations. An example often cited is "Legyen!" meaning “Let it be,” used as a wish or exhortation.

Understanding igemódok helps explain how Hungarian verbs convey modality, authority, and speaker stance beyond simple tense. See also Hungarian grammar and verb conjugation.