Breakdown of Az ifjúsági program holnap kezdődik.
Questions & Answers about Az ifjúsági program holnap kezdődik.
What does each word in Az ifjúsági program holnap kezdődik mean?
A word-by-word breakdown is:
- Az = the
- ifjúsági = youth, youth-related, for young people
- program = program
- holnap = tomorrow
- kezdődik = begins, starts
So the whole sentence means something like:
- The youth program starts tomorrow.
- The youth program begins tomorrow.
Why is az used here, and why not a?
Hungarian has two forms of the definite article:
- a
- az
They both mean the.
The choice depends on the sound that follows:
- a before a consonant
- az before a vowel
Since ifjúsági begins with a vowel sound, Hungarian uses az:
- az ifjúsági program
Compare:
- a program = the program
- az iskola = the school
What exactly does ifjúsági mean?
Ifjúsági is an adjective meaning youth, for young people, or youth-related.
It comes from the noun ifjúság, which means youth or young people, plus the adjective-forming ending -i.
So:
- ifjúság = youth
- ifjúsági = youth / youth-related
In this sentence, ifjúsági program means a youth program, not a program that is itself young.
Why is it kezdődik and not kezd?
This is a very common learner question.
- kezd usually means starts something / begins something
It is typically used transitively, with a direct object. - kezdődik means begins / starts on its own
It is intransitive.
So:
- Kezdem a munkát. = I’m starting the work.
- A munka kezdődik. = The work is starting.
In your sentence, the program is not starting something else; the program itself is beginning. So Hungarian uses:
- Az ifjúsági program holnap kezdődik.
This is very natural Hungarian.
Why is Hungarian using a present tense form if the meaning is in the future?
Because Hungarian very often uses the present tense for future events when the time is already clear from the context.
Here, holnap already tells us the event is in the future:
- holnap = tomorrow
So Hungarian does not need a separate future form here. This is similar to English sentences like:
- The program starts tomorrow.
- We leave next week.
Even though the verb looks present, the meaning is future because of the time word.
Does the word order matter here?
Yes, but Hungarian word order is more flexible than English word order.
The neutral version is:
- Az ifjúsági program holnap kezdődik.
This is a straightforward statement: The youth program starts tomorrow.
You could also say:
- Holnap kezdődik az ifjúsági program.
This puts more focus on holnap or makes the sentence feel a bit more like It’s tomorrow that the youth program starts.
So the meaning stays very close, but the emphasis can change.
Why doesn’t holnap have an ending on it?
Because holnap is already an adverb meaning tomorrow.
Hungarian often uses case endings on nouns, but some time expressions are standalone adverbs and do not need an extra ending.
For example:
- ma = today
- holnap = tomorrow
- tegnap = yesterday
So in this sentence, holnap is simply the adverb tomorrow.
How is ifjúsági pronounced?
A rough pronunciation guide is:
- ifjúsági ≈ eef-yoo-shaa-ghee
A few helpful points:
- Hungarian stress is usually on the first syllable: IFjúsági
- ú is a long vowel, like a longer oo
- s in Hungarian sounds like English sh
- g is always a hard g, as in go
So the middle part sá sounds like shaa.
How is kezdődik pronounced?
A rough guide is:
- kezdődik ≈ KEZ-duh-dik
More precisely:
- e is like the e in bed
- ő is a rounded vowel that English does not really have; learners often approximate it as something between uh and er, but with rounded lips
- stress is on the first syllable: KEZdődik
Also note:
- Hungarian spelling is very regular, so once you learn the sound system, pronunciation becomes much easier.
Is program really the same word as in English?
Yes. Program is a common international word, and Hungarian uses it too.
Its meaning depends on context, just like in English:
- a schedule or event program
- a plan
- a computer program
In ifjúsági program, it means a program/event/organized activity for young people.
Could this sentence also mean The youth program is beginning tomorrow?
Yes. In natural English, several translations work:
- The youth program starts tomorrow.
- The youth program begins tomorrow.
- The youth program is starting tomorrow.
The Hungarian sentence is simple and neutral, so all of these can fit depending on context.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning HungarianMaster Hungarian — from Az ifjúsági program holnap kezdődik 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