tanulják

Tanulják is a Hungarian verb form meaning “they study” or “they are studying,” used when the direct object is definite. It is the present tense, third-person plural, definite-conjugation form of the verb tanul, which means “to learn” or “to study.” The base is tanul; the definite 3rd plural ending is -ják, a suffix that marks the action as being performed on a specific, known object (for example a particular lesson or book).

In contrast, when there is no definite object, the third-person plural form is tanulnak, used for an indefinite or unspecified object. For example: "Ők tanulnak" means “They study” (they study generally, without referring to a specific object). The distinction between tanulják and tanulnak reflects Hungarian’s definite-conjugation system, which requires a special suffix when the object is definite.

Examples clarify usage. "A leckét tanulmányozzák" roughly means “they study the lesson,” and more directly, "A leckét tanulják" means “they study it/the lesson.” Another example: "Ők tanulják a nyelvet" means “they study the language (it).” This form is common in everyday Hungarian whenever a known, specific object is involved, such as a particular chapter, textbook, or subject.

Tanulják thus sits within Hungarian’s broader system of definite and indefinite conjugations, illustrating how verb endings reflect the definiteness of objects rather than tense alone.