láthatjuk

láthatjuk is a finite verb form in Hungarian, derived from the verb látni, which means to see. It belongs to the potenciális (potential) mood, used to express possibility or ability. Specifically, láthatjuk is the first-person plural form, combining the stem lát-, the modal suffix -hat/-het, and the 1st-person plural suffix -juk, with assimilation producing láthatjuk. In English, it corresponds roughly to “we can see” or “we may see,” depending on context.

Morphology and usage details

The form is built from látni’s stem lát- plus the suffix -hat to indicate possibility, followed by -juk to mark “we.” The resulting spelling is láthatjuk (note the consonant cluster where t + h appears). It is used when the speaker wants to express that something is perceptible or perceivable by us under the circumstances. The object of perception typically follows in the sentence, e.g., láthatjuk a tájat, meaning “we can see the landscape.”

Distinctions and related forms

Láthatjuk is distinct from látható, which is an adjective meaning “visible.” Látható describes a property (something that can be seen), whereas láthatjuk conveys the perception or potential to see something. The form is also related to the conditional mood, for example láthatnánk would mean “we could see,” but with a different nuance.

Examples

- Láthatjuk a naplementét a tengerparton. (We can see the sunset at the seaside.)

- Láthatjuk-e holnap az északi fényeket? (Can we see the Northern Lights tomorrow?)

See also: látni, látható, látás.