A fazekaskorong jól működik.

In Hungarian, a is the definite article, so here it means the, not English a.

• a is used before words that begin with a consonant
• az is used before words that begin with a vowel

So:

• a fazekaskorong = the potter’s wheel

Hungarian has no separate word spelled like English a/an. The indefinite article is egy.

Yes. Fazekaskorong is a compound noun:

• fazekas = potter
• korong = wheel / disk

So literally it is something like potter-wheel, meaning potter’s wheel.

Hungarian forms compounds very often, much more freely than English.

Because jól is the adverb form, while jó is an adjective.

• jó = good
• jól = well

In this sentence, működik means works / functions, so Hungarian uses the adverb:

• jól működik = works well

Compare:

• A gép jó. = The machine is good.
• A gép jól működik. = The machine works well.

It is an irregular-looking but very common pattern. In many cases, Hungarian forms adverbs with -n, -an, -en, -ul, -ül, but some very common words have special forms.

• jó → jól = well

So this is simply a form you should learn as a fixed pair:

• jó = good
• jól = well

Működik means works, functions, or operates.

It is often used for:

• machines
• devices
• systems
• methods
• organizations

So A fazekaskorong jól működik means the wheel is functioning properly.

It is a very common verb in Hungarian.

It is:

• 3rd person singular
• present tense
• indefinite conjugation

The dictionary form is működni = to function / to work

So:

• én működöm = I function / I work
• te működsz = you function
• ő működik = he/she/it functions

Here the subject is A fazekaskorong (the potter’s wheel), so működik means it works.

Hungarian word order is more flexible than English word order. This sentence has a very neutral structure:

• A fazekaskorong jól működik.

A common pattern is: topic + comment

Here:

• A fazekaskorong = what we are talking about
• jól működik = what we say about it

The verb often comes later in the sentence, especially in neutral statements. But word order can change for emphasis.

For example, Jól működik a fazekaskorong can also be possible, with a different emphasis or style.

Yes, but it sounds different.

• A fazekaskorong jól működik is the most natural neutral version.
• A fazekaskorong működik jól sounds more marked and usually needs a special context.

In Hungarian, the position before the verb is important for focus. Putting jól before működik is the normal way to say works well.

So as a learner, the safest choice is:

• jól működik

Because Hungarian usually does not use subject pronouns unless they are needed for emphasis or contrast.

The verb form already tells you the person and number:

• működik = he/she/it works

Since the subject noun A fazekaskorong is already present, adding a separate pronoun would be unnecessary.

This is normal in Hungarian.

A few key points help:

működik

• ű is a long front rounded vowel, with no exact English equivalent
• ö is also a rounded front vowel, a bit like German ö
• Stress is on the first syllable: MŰ-kö-dik

fazekaskorong

• stress is on the first syllable: FA-ze-kas-ko-rong
• Hungarian r is usually a tapped or lightly rolled r
• every written vowel is pronounced clearly

A rough guide:

• fazekas ≈ FA-ze-kash
• korong ≈ KO-rong

Not exact English pronunciation, but enough to get started.

It is broader than just machines. Működik can be used for many kinds of things that function, operate, or work:

• A telefon működik. = The phone works.
• A terv működik. = The plan works.
• Ez a módszer jól működik. = This method works well.
• Az iskola jól működik. = The school operates well.

So in your sentence, it naturally describes the potter’s wheel as functioning properly.

Yes. Jól működik usually means more than simply it works.

Compare:

• működik = it works / it functions
• jól működik = it works well / it functions properly / it operates efficiently

So jól adds the idea of good performance, not just basic operation.

Yes. That would mean:

• Ez a fazekaskorong jól működik. = This potter’s wheel works well.

Here:

• ez = this
• a fazekaskorong = the potter’s wheel

Hungarian often uses ez a / az a with nouns:

• ez a könyv = this book
• az a ház = that house

So your original sentence is perfectly fine, and adding ez would just make it more specific.