láthatják

láthatják is a Hungarian verb form that belongs to the mood of ability or possibility. It corresponds to the English can or may see, and it is used to indicate that a subject (they) is able to perceive something or that such perception is possible.

Formation and meaning. The form is built from the verb látni, meaning to see. By adding the potential suffix hat/het to the stem, you get láthat-, and then the third-person plural present ending -ják, resulting in láthatják. In pronunciation the stress remains on the first syllable: láthatják. This form expresses present-time possibility or permission rather than a definite observable action.

Usage notes. Láthatják is commonly used when speaking about what a group or class of agents is able to observe or perceive under given conditions. It can also convey that something might be visible or detectable to them. The nuance is closer to can or may rather than will see. Negation is nem láthatják, meaning they cannot see or they are not able to see.

Examples. Láthatják a megoldást a táblán. They can see the solution on the board. A felvételen láthatják a jelenséget. In the recording they may see the phenomenon. Nem láthatják a jelzéseket. They cannot see the signals.

Related forms. The 1st person singular present is láthatom (I can see), the 2nd person singular is láthatod (you can see), and the 3rd person plural is láthatják (they can see). The conditional mood form is láthatnák (they could see).

See also. Látni (to see) and other forms of the potential mood in Hungarian verb conjugation.