Mióta nem működik a hálózat?

Mióta means since when? or for how long?, depending on context.

In a question like Mióta nem működik a hálózat?, it asks about the starting point of the problem:

• Since when has the network not been working?
• idiomatically in English: How long has the network been down?

So mióta is used when you want to know from what time something has been true.

Hungarian often uses the present tense where English uses the present perfect.

So:

• nem működik = literally is not working / does not work
• but with mióta, the whole sentence naturally corresponds to English has not been working

This is very common. Hungarian does not need a special perfect form here. The time relationship is understood from mióta.

Nem működik means doesn’t work / isn’t working / is not functioning.

The verb is működik, which means to function, to operate, or to work in the sense of something functioning properly.

You can use működik for many things:

• A gép működik. = The machine works.
• A rendszer nem működik. = The system isn’t working.
• A hálózat nem működik. = The network isn’t working.

So this is a very natural verb here.

In Hungarian, nem is the normal word used to negate a verb, and it usually comes directly before the verb:

• működik = it works
• nem működik = it does not work / it isn’t working

So the placement is standard Hungarian word order for negation.

A hálózat means the network.

• hálózat = network
• a = the

Hungarian uses definite articles very regularly, much like English. Here, the speaker is asking about a specific network, so a hálózat is natural.

You would not normally leave out the article in this sentence.

Hungarian usually does not need a separate subject pronoun like it, he, or she when the subject is already clear.

In this sentence, the subject is explicitly stated:

• a hálózat = the network

So there is no need for an extra pronoun.

Even in sentences without an expressed noun, Hungarian often leaves the pronoun out because the verb form gives enough information.

Yes, this is a very natural and neutral word order.

Structure:

• Mióta = since when
• nem működik = isn’t working
• a hálózat = the network

Hungarian word order is flexible, but it is strongly connected to focus and emphasis. This version is the most straightforward way to ask the question.

A different order can be possible in special contexts, but for a learner, this is the standard pattern to use.

In most situations, no — not as the normal neutral question.

Mióta nem működik a hálózat? is the standard question.

Putting a hálózat earlier changes the information structure and can sound unusual or context-dependent. Hungarian word order is not random: moving words often adds emphasis or contrast.

So if you are simply asking Since when has the network not been working?, stick with:

Mióta nem működik a hálózat?

The dictionary form is működik itself. Hungarian dictionaries normally list verbs in the third person singular present tense, not under to ... as in English.

So:

• dictionary form: működik
• meaning: to function / to work / to operate

It is an intransitive verb here, because it does not take a direct object in this sentence.

A rough pronunciation guide:

• működik ≈ muu-kö-dik, but with special front rounded vowels
• hálózat ≈ haa-lo-zat

A few important points:

• ű is a long vowel, somewhat like a rounded version of ee
• ö is like the vowel in German schön or French peu
• á is a long a sound
• Hungarian stress is almost always on the first syllable

So:

• MŰ-kö-dik
• HÁ-ló-zat
• MI-ó-ta

The accents are important because they mark vowel quality and/or length.

They are similar, but not always identical in nuance.

• Mióta nem működik a hálózat? = Since when has the network not been working?
• Mennyi ideje nem működik a hálózat? = How long has the network not been working?

In many situations, both are possible and very close in meaning.

A useful rule:

• mióta focuses more on the starting point
• mennyi ideje focuses more on the duration

In practice, both can often be translated as how long in English.

Yes, absolutely.

In Hungarian, működik is widely used for anything that functions properly, including:

• machines
• devices
• software
• systems
• services
• networks

So A hálózat nem működik is completely natural Hungarian for The network isn’t working.

It is neutral and perfectly normal in both spoken and written Hungarian.

It is suitable in everyday conversation, technical support, workplace communication, and many other contexts.

If you wanted to sound slightly more technical, the wording might change depending on the situation, but this sentence itself is standard and natural.