várakozhatnak

The Hungarian verb *várakozhatnak* is the third-person plural present tense form of the verb *várakozhat*, which is derived from the root verb *várakozik* ("to wait"). The suffix *-hat-* transforms the verb into a modal auxiliary, indicating possibility or permission, while *-nak* is the third-person plural subject suffix in Hungarian.

The phrase *várakozhatnak* translates to "they can wait" or "they are able to wait" in English. It combines the modal verb *várakozhat* ("can wait") with the third-person plural subject ending *-nak*, which is used for subjects like "they," "it," or plural nouns (e.g., *a gyerekek* – "the children"). This construction is common in Hungarian to express ability, permission, or possibility in the present tense.

In context, *várakozhatnak* might be used in sentences such as:

*"A vendégek várakozhatnak a bejelentkezés előtt"* ("The guests can wait before checking in").

*"A buszok várakozhatnak a megállóban"* ("The buses can wait at the stop").

The verb *várakozhat* itself is formed by adding the modal suffix *-hat-* to *várakozik*, which is the infinitive form of the root verb. This suffix indicates that the action is possible or permitted, rather than obligatory. The third-person plural ending *-nak* is attached to the verb to indicate that the subject performing the action is plural (e.g., *az emberek* – "the people").

Hungarian verbs often use subject suffixes to indicate tense, mood, and person, making conjugations highly inflected. The use of *-hat-* as a modal suffix is distinct from other verb forms and is used to express capability or permission rather than action itself. This construction is a key feature of Hungarian grammar, distinguishing it from many other Indo-European languages.