tudását

Tudását is a Hungarian word form that functions as a definite, accusative form of the noun phrase “tudása,” which means “his/her knowledge” or “his/her know-how.” The base noun is tudás (knowledge), formed from the verb tudni (to know) with the abstract-noun suffix -ás. The possessive suffix -a/-e yields tudása (his/her knowledge). When the knowledge is the object of a verb, Hungarian can attach the definite direct-object suffix -t, giving tudását. Thus tudását translates roughly to “his/her knowledge” in a definite, object sense.

Etymology and morphology

Tudás derives from tudni, the verb “to know.” The suffix -ás creates a noun indicating the abstract quality of knowing. Adding the possessive suffix -a/-e yields tudása for “his/her knowledge.” The definite direct-object form, which marks the noun as a specific, known object within the sentence, is -t, producing tudását. This construction is common for other possessed nouns as well, reflecting Hungarian’s system of noun-internal possession combined with definite-object marking.

Usage notes

Tudását is used when the knowledge or skill of a person is the thing being acted upon by the verb. For example: “Megmutatta a tudását a versenyen,” meaning “He demonstrated his knowledge/skill at the competition.” The form emphasizes the speaker’s reference to a particular, identifiable body of knowledge belonging to someone. In contrast, tudás (without possession or definiteness) refers to knowledge in a more general or abstract sense, while tudását commonly implies application, demonstration, or evaluation of that person’s competence.

See also

tudás, tudni, possessive forms in Hungarian, definite direct object suffixes.