Breakdown of Elültetjük a bazsalikomot az ültetőládába.
az
the
bazsalikom
basil
ültetőláda
a planter box
elültetni
to plant
Questions & Answers about Elültetjük a bazsalikomot az ültetőládába.
What is the structure of the sentence word by word?
A useful breakdown is:
- elültetjük = we plant it / we will plant it
- el- = a verbal prefix
- ültet = plant
- -jük = we ... with a definite object
- a bazsalikomot = the basil
- a = the
- bazsalikomot = basil
- accusative ending
- az ültetőládába = into the planter box
- az = the
- ültetőládába = into the planter box
So grammatically, the sentence is basically:
[Verb] + [direct object] + [destination]
What does the prefix el- add to ültetjük?
The prefix el- often gives the verb a sense of completion or carrying out the action fully.
So:
- ültetjük can mean we are planting it
- elültetjük suggests we plant it / get it planted / plant it completely
In many contexts, elültetjük sounds more natural for a complete action like putting a plant into its place.
With planting verbs, English often does not translate el- separately, but it still affects the feel of the verb.
Why is the verb elültetjük and not something like elültetünk?