megnéztem

Megnéztem is a Hungarian verb form meaning “I looked at” or “I watched.” It is the first-person singular past tense of the perfective verb megnézni (or megnéz), which is built from the verb néz (to look or to watch) with the prefix meg- indicating completeness or a completed action. The prefix changes the nuance from a simple act of looking to a completed inspection or viewing.

Usage and meaning

Megnéztem is used to report that a viewing or inspection has been completed. It is transitive, requiring a direct object, such as a film, document, or scene. Examples: Megnéztem a filmet. (I watched the film.) Megnéztem a dokumentumot. (I looked at the document.)

Grammatical notes

The form is specific to the first-person singular past tense. Hungarian verbs with meg- often convey a sense of thoroughness or full completion. Megragadhatja a pronominal or contextual elements, but the core meaning remains “I looked at / I watched.” Other forms in the same verb family include megnéz (to look at, to examine) in non-past forms and various person-number combinations in different tenses.

Usage distinctions

Megnéztem differs from néztem (I was looking) in aspect: néztem describes a process or ongoing action, while megnéztem emphasizes that the viewing was completed. It also differs from megnéztem meg, which would be redundant in standard Hungarian syntax.

See also

Hungarian verb prefixes, néz (to look/watch), megnézni (to look at / to inspect).