Jelzem a problémát, és panaszt teszek.

Because a problémát is a definite direct object: it means the problem, not just a problem.

Hungarian verbs often have two kinds of endings:

• indefinite conjugation: used when there is no definite object, or no object at all
• definite conjugation: used when the object is definite

The verb here is jelez = to indicate / report / signal.

In I report the problem, the object is definite, so Hungarian uses the definite form:

• jelzem = I report it / I report the ...
• compare: jelzek egy problémát = I report a problem

So Jelzem a problémát is the expected form.

The -t marks the direct object in Hungarian. This is called the accusative ending.

• a probléma = the problem subject form / dictionary form
• a problémát = the problem as the object

So in this sentence, a problémát is what is being reported, which is why it gets -t.

Also notice the vowel length change:

• probléma
• problémát

That long á before -t is normal in many Hungarian nouns.

Hungarian usually does not need subject pronouns when the verb ending already shows the subject.

• jelzem = I report
• teszek = I make / do

So én = I is unnecessary unless you want extra emphasis.

For example:

• Jelzem a problémát. = I report the problem.
• Én jelzem a problémát. = I’m the one reporting the problem. / I report the problem. with emphasis

Panaszt teszek is a common Hungarian expression meaning I make a complaint, I file a complaint, or I lodge a complaint.

It is built from:

• panasz = complaint
• teszek = I make / do / put from tesz

Literally it looks like I make a complaint, which is very similar to English.

This is a good example of a noun + verb expression in Hungarian. The verb tesz is often used in set phrases like this.

Because panasz is the direct object of teszek, so it also needs the accusative -t ending.

• panasz = complaint
• panaszt = complaint as the object

So:

• panaszt teszek = I make/file a complaint

This is the same pattern as:

• a problémát jelzem

Both problémát and panaszt are objects, so both take -t.

Hungarian often expresses ideas with a noun + general verb instead of a single verb.

So instead of one simple verb meaning to complain, Hungarian very often says:

• panaszt tesz = to make/file a complaint

There is also the verb panaszkodik, which means to complain in the sense of expressing dissatisfaction.

The difference is often this:

• panaszkodom = I complain / I am complaining
• panaszt teszek = I file/make a complaint, often more formal or official

So panaszt teszek sounds especially suitable in an administrative, customer-service, or legal context.

Yes, it sounds fairly formal or official.

Both parts fit written or administrative language:

• Jelzem a problémát = I am reporting the problem
• panaszt teszek = I file a complaint

A more casual speaker might say something less formal in everyday conversation, depending on the context. But this sentence is perfectly natural if you are contacting customer service, writing to an office, or making a formal complaint.

Yes. És simply means and.

It links the two actions:

• Jelzem a problémát
• panaszt teszek

Since the subject is the same in both clauses, Hungarian does not repeat én.

So the structure is basically:

• [I report the problem], and [I file a complaint].

Yes, Hungarian word order is flexible, but changes in order can change emphasis or focus.

The original sentence:

• Jelzem a problémát, és panaszt teszek.

This is a natural, straightforward version.

If you move something to the front, you may highlight it:

• A problémát jelzem, és panaszt teszek.

This puts more emphasis on the problem.

Hungarian word order is not random, though. It often reflects what is already known, what is emphasized, and what the speaker wants to highlight. So while several orders may be grammatically possible, they may not all sound equally neutral.

A few useful pronunciation points:

• j in Hungarian sounds like English y in yes
• sz sounds like English s
• plain s sounds like English sh
• é is a long vowel, roughly like ay in say, but pure and steady
• a in Hungarian is not the same as English a; it is more like a short open vowel

So approximately:

• jelzem ≈ yel-zem
• problémát ≈ pro-blay-maat
• panaszt ≈ pa-nast
• teszek ≈ teh-sek

Not exact English pronunciation, but close enough to get started.

Yes. Both verbs are in the present tense:

• jelzem = I report / I am reporting
• teszek = I make / I am making

As often happens in Hungarian, the exact English translation can depend on context:

• I report the problem and file a complaint
• I’m reporting the problem and filing a complaint

Hungarian present tense can cover both simple present and present progressive meanings, depending on the situation.