Az előfizető képes fizetni.

Az is the definite article, so it means the.

Hungarian has two forms of the definite article:

• a before a consonant sound
• az before a vowel sound

Because előfizető starts with a vowel, Hungarian uses az:

• az előfizető = the subscriber

If the next word began with a consonant, you would normally use a instead.

Előfizető means subscriber.

It is built from:

• elő = before, in advance
• fizet = pay
• -ő = a suffix that can mean the one who does something

So the literal idea is something like one who pays in advance, which developed into subscriber.

Here, -ő helps form a noun meaning the person who does the action.

So from the verb előfizet = to subscribe / to pay in advance, you get:

• előfizető = subscriber

This is a very useful pattern in Hungarian. For example:

• vezet = lead, drive
• vezető = leader, driver

In many words like this, the result functions as an ordinary noun in modern Hungarian.

Képes means capable or able.

In this sentence, képes fizetni means:

• able to pay
• capable of paying

So the whole sentence is essentially saying that the subscriber has the ability or capacity to pay.

Because Hungarian often leaves out the verb to be in the present tense when the subject is third person and the predicate is a noun or adjective.

So:

• Az előfizető képes. = The subscriber is capable.

There is no separate word for is here, even though English needs one.

This is normal Hungarian grammar.

But in other tenses, or with first/second person, the verb appears:

• Az előfizető képes volt fizetni. = The subscriber was able to pay.
• Képes vagyok fizetni. = I am able to pay.

The ending -ni is the Hungarian infinitive ending, roughly equivalent to English to + verb.

So:

• fizet = pay
• fizetni = to pay

After képes, Hungarian normally uses an infinitive:

• képes fizetni = able to pay

This is a very common pattern:

• képes dolgozni = able to work
• képes tanulni = able to study

Yes, you could, and it would often be natural.

But there is a nuance:

• tud fizetni = can pay
• képes fizetni = is able/capable of paying

Very roughly:

• tud is the more common everyday word for can
• képes can sound a little more formal, descriptive, or emphatic

In some contexts, képes fizetni may suggest actual capacity, including financial ability, while tud fizetni can sound broader and more neutral.

So both are possible, but they are not always identical in tone.

This is a neutral, straightforward Hungarian word order.

A simple way to understand it is:

• Az előfizető = the topic, what the sentence is about
• képes fizetni = what is being said about that topic

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

So the original sentence is the most neutral way to say it.

Other orders are possible in special contexts, but they sound more marked, more literary, or more contrastive. For a learner, Az előfizető képes fizetni is the safe, normal version.

A few important pronunciation points:

• Hungarian stress is almost always on the first syllable of the word.
• é is a long vowel, somewhat like the vowel in say, but pure and without a glide.
• ő is a long rounded front vowel; English does not have an exact equivalent.
• Hungarian s is pronounced like English sh.

So:

• előfizető has stress on the first syllable: E-lő-fi-ze-tő
• képes sounds roughly like KAY-pesh
• fizetni sounds roughly like FI-zeht-nee

That final s in képes is sh, not s.

It is singular: subscriber.

The plural is:

• előfizetők = subscribers

So:

• Az előfizető képes fizetni. = The subscriber is able to pay.
• Az előfizetők képesek fizetni. = The subscribers are able to pay.

Notice that képes also changes to képesek in the plural.

It most naturally expresses ability/capacity.

So képes fizetni means the subscriber is able or capable of paying.

It does not primarily mean is allowed to pay. For permission, Hungarian would usually use other wording.

So the core idea here is not permission, but capacity:

• the subscriber can pay
• the subscriber is capable of paying

Depending on context, that could mean physical ability, practical ability, or financial ability.