Amint befejezzük a nyújtást, megnézzük a rajtszámunkat.

Questions & Answers about Amint befejezzük a nyújtást, megnézzük a rajtszámunkat.

What does amint mean here, and how is it different from amikor?

Here amint means as soon as.

So:

  • Amint befejezzük a nyújtást... = As soon as we finish stretching...

Compared with amikor:

  • amikor usually means when
  • amint is more immediate: the moment / as soon as

So amint suggests that the second action happens right after the first one.


Why is befejezzük ending in -jük?

Because the verb is in the 1st person plural definite conjugation.

Breakdown:

  • befejez = to finish
  • befejezzük = we finish it

Hungarian often uses two conjugation patterns:

  • indefinite conjugation: when there is no specific object
  • definite conjugation: when the object is specific

Here the object is specific:

  • a nyújtást = the stretching

So Hungarian uses the definite form:

  • befejezzük a nyújtást = we finish the stretching

Why is it a nyújtást and not just nyújtás?

Because it is the direct object of the verb, so it takes the accusative ending -t.

Breakdown:

  • nyújtás = stretching
  • a nyújtás = the stretching
  • a nyújtást = the stretching (as a direct object)

In Hungarian, direct objects usually get -t.

So:

  • befejezzük a nyújtást = we finish the stretching

What exactly is nyújtás?

Nyújtás is a noun meaning stretching.

It comes from the verb:

  • nyújt = to stretch

Then Hungarian forms a noun:

  • nyújtás = stretching / stretch activity

In this sentence, it refers to the activity of stretching, likely before some event or exercise.


Why is megnézzük used instead of just nézzük?

The prefix meg- often gives the verb a sense of completion or achieving a result.

Compare:

  • nézzük = we watch / we look at
  • megnézzük = we look at it / check it / have a look at it

Here megnézzük sounds natural because the idea is not just looking, but checking or taking a look at something specific.

So:

  • megnézzük a rajtszámunkat = we check our race number

Why does megnézzük also have a definite ending?

For the same reason as befejezzük: it has a specific direct object.

The object is:

  • a rajtszámunkat = our race number

Since the object is definite/specific, Hungarian uses the definite conjugation:

  • megnézzük = we look at/check it

If there were no specific object, the verb form would be different.


How is rajtszámunkat built up?

It is made of several parts:

  • rajt = start
  • szám = number
  • rajtszám = race number / bib number
  • rajtszámunk = our race number
  • rajtszámunkat = our race number (as direct object)

So the ending structure is:

Hungarian often combines the noun, the possessive ending, and the case ending into one word.


Why is there an article a before rajtszámunkat if the word already means our race number?

Because in Hungarian, a possessed noun can still take the definite article.

So:

  • a rajtszámunk = our race number
  • a rajtszámunkat = our race number as object

This is very normal in Hungarian. English usually does not use the with our, but Hungarian often does:

  • a könyvem = my book
  • a testvérünk = our sibling
  • a rajtszámunkat = our race number

So even though it feels unusual from an English point of view, it is standard Hungarian grammar.


Why are both verbs in the present tense if the meaning is about the future?

Hungarian often uses the present tense to talk about future actions, especially when the future is clear from context.

Here the sentence means something like:

  • As soon as we finish stretching, we’ll check our race number.

But Hungarian naturally says this with present forms:

  • befejezzük
  • megnézzük

This is very common, especially with time clauses and planned actions.


Why is the sentence ordered this way?

The order is very natural Hungarian:

  • Amint befejezzük a nyújtást, megnézzük a rajtszámunkat.

First comes the time clause:

  • Amint befejezzük a nyújtást = As soon as we finish stretching

Then comes the main clause:

  • megnézzük a rajtszámunkat = we check our race number

This is similar to English. Hungarian word order is flexible, but this neutral order sounds natural and clear.


Could the sentence be said without amint?

Yes, but the meaning would change slightly.

For example:

  • Miután befejezzük a nyújtást, megnézzük a rajtszámunkat.
    = After we finish stretching, we check our race number.

  • Ha befejezzük a nyújtást, megnézzük a rajtszámunkat.
    = If we finish stretching, we check our race number.

But amint is best when you want the meaning as soon as.

So the original sentence emphasizes immediate sequence.


How would this sentence sound more literally in English?

A more word-for-word version would be:

  • As soon as we-finish the stretching, we-check our race-number-our.

Of course, natural English is:

  • As soon as we finish stretching, we’ll check our race number.

This literal view helps show two important Hungarian features:

  1. verbs show person/number directly
  2. possession and case are often built into one noun form

Is rajtszám specifically a race bib number?

Yes, very often.

Rajtszám literally means start number, and in sports it usually refers to the number assigned to a participant, often the number printed on a bib.

Depending on context, English translations could include:

  • race number
  • bib number
  • starting number

So in a running or sporting context, our race number or our bib number would both make sense.

AI Language TutorTry it ↗
Your avatar
“What's the best way to learn Hungarian grammar?”
Hungarian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Hungarian

Master Hungarian — from Amint befejezzük a nyújtást, megnézzük a rajtszámunkat to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions