tárgyképz

Tárgyképzés is a Hungarian grammatical term referring to the formation of the object in a sentence. Hungarian grammar distinguishes between definite and indefinite objects, and this distinction significantly impacts verb conjugation. When the object is definite, meaning a specific, known entity, the verb takes a definite conjugation. For example, "Látok egy házat" (I see a house) uses the indefinite conjugation of "lát" (to see), as "egy házat" is an indefinite object. However, if the sentence were "Látom a házat" (I see the house), where "a házat" is a definite object, the verb would use the definite conjugation.

The definite object is typically marked by the accusative case suffix "-t" or "-at/-et" when it is a specific noun. Pronouns also play a crucial role in indicating definiteness. For instance, possessive pronouns like "my," "your," or definite personal pronouns like "him," "her," or "them" invariably lead to a definite object and thus a definite verb conjugation. The concept of tárgyképzés is fundamental to understanding the intricate verb-agreement system in Hungarian, reflecting the speaker's awareness and specificity regarding the object of the action. This system is a key characteristic that sets Hungarian apart from many other European languages.