mutathatja

Mutathatja is a form of the Hungarian verb mutat, meaning to show. It encodes possibility with a definite direct object and is used to say that someone may show something. In English it is usually rendered as “may show it” or “could show it.” The form is finite and typically appears with a third-person singular subject.

Morphology and formation: Mutathatja is built from the stem mutat plus the potential suffix -hat to express possibility, yielding mutathat. To mark a definite direct object, Hungarian adds the suffix -ja (or -je) to the verb, producing mutathatja. The outcome is a single verb form that conveys “he/she/it may show it” when the object is definite. If the object is indefinite, the form without the definite-object suffix—mutathat—may be used instead.

Usage notes: Mutathatja is common in more formal or written Hungarian, especially in reported statements, hypothetical contexts, or discussions of what someone could or may reveal. It is distinct from mutathat, which can be used with an indefinite object or when the object is not specified. In everyday speech, speakers might rephrase to avoid the definite-object suffix or to use a simpler construction.

Examples:

- Ő mutathatja a tervet. — He may show the plan.

- Lehet, hogy ő mutathatja a bizonyítékot. — It’s possible that he may show the evidence.

See also: Hungarian grammar, definite object, potential mood.

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