próbálok

Próbálok is the first-person singular present form of the Hungarian verb próbálni, which means to try or to attempt. It expresses the speaker’s current effort or intention, often in combination with another verb in the infinitive or with a subordinate clause.

In Hungarian, próbálni is conjugated across persons as próbálok, próbálsz, próbál, próbálunk, próbáltok, próbálnak. The past tense forms include próbáltam (I tried), próbáltál (you tried), próbált (he/she tried), etc. The verb can be used with the prefix meg- to form megpróbálni, which commonly means to make an attempt or to try to do something; e.g., megpróbálom megoldani a feladatot (“I will try to solve the task”).

Usage notes: próbalék is often followed by another verb in the infinitive to indicate the specific action being attempted (Próbálok segíteni. I’m trying to help). The phrase épp próbálok… can be used to emphasize ongoing effort (I’m just trying to…).

Etymology: próba means trial or test in Hungarian, and próbálni is the verbal form built from that noun with a suffix that creates an intransitive “to do something as a trial or effort.” The verb is native to Hungarian and is widely used in everyday speech.

See also: próba, próbálkozás.

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