tartsátok

Tartsátok is the second-person plural imperative form of the Hungarian verb tartani, meaning to hold, keep, or maintain. The form is used to address a group, commanding them to keep or maintain something, usually accompanied by a direct object or a clause.

Morphology and usage

The imperative is formed from the stem tart- with the suffix -sátok, yielding tartsátok. It is one of several imperative forms in Hungarian, alongside tartsd (singular informal), tartsa (singular formal), and tartsátok or tartsátok for other polite or emphatic uses. In practice, tartsátok be..., tartsátok be tartani a szabályt, or similar constructions are common, with the object in the accusative plural when appropriate.

Examples

- Tartsátok be a szabályokat! (Keep to the rules.)

- Tartsátok távol a keziséget az arcotoktól. (Keep your hands away from your face.)

- Tartsátok rendben a szobát. (Keep the room tidy.)

Context and nuance

tartsátok is standard in spoken and written Hungarian and typically appears in instructions, directions, and formal or collective exhortations. It is most often encountered in contexts where a group is asked to maintain a state, adhere to instructions, or continue a course of action.

Related forms

Related imperative forms include tartsd (singular informal), tartsa (singular formal), and tartassák/tartsák (plural formal) depending on number and politeness. The form tartsátok specifically targets a group in an informal or neutral plural register.