értenünk

értenünk is a Hungarian grammatical form derived from the verb érteni (to understand). It is the infinitive form with the first-person plural possessive suffix -nk, used to mark that the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the main clause (we). It commonly appears in sentences where the action of the infinitive is governed by a finite verb that requires an infinitive, such as kell, lehet, or muszáj, or in formal expressions of necessity.

Formation and usage: The form is created by attaching the possessive suffix -nk to the infinitive érteni, yielding értenünk. This infinitive with possession signals that the subject who must understand is “we.” In sentences like Meg kell értenünk ezt a problémát, the phrase translates as We must understand this problem. The usage pattern is typical in written and formal Hungarian, including instructional and official contexts.

Semantics and nuance:értenünk primarily expresses necessity or obligation involving a collective subject (we). It can also appear in constructions that discuss collective understanding as part of a goal or requirement. The form is one of several possessive-infinitive constructions in Hungarian that align the infinitive’s subject with the main clause’s subject.

Examples:

- Meg kell értenünk ezt a problémát. (We must understand this problem.)

- A cél az, hogy értenünk kellene a rendszert. (The aim is that we should understand the system.)

See also: érteni, magyar nyelvtan, infinitive with possessive suffix.