Áramtalanítjuk az eszközt.

Questions & Answers about Áramtalanítjuk az eszközt.

What does áramtalanítjuk mean literally, and how is it built up?

It is a built-up verb:

  • áram = electric current, electricity
  • -talan / -telen = without, lacking
  • -ít = a verb-forming suffix, often meaning to make something become X
  • -juk = we do it, with a definite object

So áramtalanít means something like to deprive of electrical power, to disconnect from the power supply, or to de-energize.

Then áramtalanítjuk means we disconnect it from the power supply / we de-energize it, when the it is a definite object.

Why does the verb end in -juk?

Because Hungarian verbs have two main present-tense conjugation patterns:

Here the object is az eszközt = the device, which is definite. Because the object is definite, Hungarian uses the definite verb ending.

So:

  • áramtalanítunk = we de-energize something / we de-energize, with no definite object
  • áramtalanítjuk az eszközt = we de-energize the device

That -juk ending tells you both:

  • the subject is we
  • the verb is agreeing with a definite object
Why is there no separate word for we?

Hungarian usually does not need subject pronouns, because the verb ending already shows the subject.

Here:

  • -juk tells you the subject is we

So Áramtalanítjuk az eszközt already means We de-energize the device.

You could add mi = we, but only for emphasis or contrast:

  • Mi áramtalanítjuk az eszközt. = We are the ones de-energizing the device.

Most of the time, the pronoun is simply left out.

Why is it az eszközt and not a eszközt?

Hungarian has two forms of the definite article:

  • a
  • az

Use az before a vowel sound, and a before a consonant sound.

Since eszköz begins with e, it takes az:

  • az eszköz

Then the object gets the accusative ending -t:

  • az eszközt = the device as the direct object

So:

  • az eszköz = the device
  • az eszközt = the device, as the thing being acted on
Why does eszköz become eszközt?

Because it is the direct object of the sentence, and Hungarian usually marks direct objects with the accusative suffix -t.

So:

  • eszköz = device
  • eszközt = device as object

In this sentence, the device is what is being de-energized, so it needs the object ending.

A useful thing to notice: the article stays az, not some accusative form. The noun itself carries the object marking.

Is this the normal word order? Why does the sentence start with the verb?

Yes, it is natural Hungarian.

Hungarian word order is much more flexible than English word order. It depends a lot on:

  • topic
  • focus
  • what is already known
  • what is being emphasized

Áramtalanítjuk az eszközt is a very natural neutral sentence, especially in technical, procedural, or instructional contexts.

It can feel a bit like:

  • We now de-energize the device
  • The device is de-energized

If you move things around, the emphasis changes:

  • Az eszközt áramtalanítjuk. = It is the device that we de-energize / As for the device, we de-energize it.

So the version you have is perfectly normal, especially in manuals or step-by-step descriptions.

Is this sentence describing a real we, or is it more like instructional language?

Very often, it is instructional or procedural language.

In English, manuals often use styles like:

  • Turn off the device
  • We disconnect the device from power
  • The device is disconnected from power

Hungarian can use first person plural in a similar procedural way. So áramtalanítjuk does not always mean a literal group of people standing there together. It can mean something like:

  • we now perform this step
  • the next step is to de-energize the device

This is common in explanations, demonstrations, and technical instructions.

How is áramtalanít different from kikapcsol?

This is an important vocabulary difference.

  • kikapcsol = switch off, turn off
  • áramtalanít = disconnect from electrical power, de-energize

So kikapcsolni may only mean turning the device off in the normal way.

But áramtalanítani is stronger and more technical. It suggests that the device is no longer receiving electrical power, often for safety or maintenance.

For example:

  • A lamp can be kikapcsolva = switched off
  • But if you unplug it or cut its power supply, it is áramtalanítva

So in technical contexts, áramtalanítjuk az eszközt is more precise than just kikapcsoljuk az eszközt.

What tense is this?

It is present tense.

But in Hungarian, present tense is often used for:

  • general statements
  • live descriptions
  • instructions
  • procedural steps

So even though it is grammatically present tense, in context it may be understood as:

  • We are de-energizing the device
  • We de-energize the device
  • Next, we de-energize the device

The exact English translation depends on the context, but the Hungarian form itself is straightforward present tense.

What should I notice about pronunciation?

A few useful points:

  • Stress in Hungarian normally falls on the first syllable of each word.
  • So the stress is on ÁR in áramtalanítjuk and on ESZ in eszközt.
  • á is a long vowel.
  • sz is pronounced like English s.
  • z is pronounced like English z.

So for a learner, the main practical thing is:

  • ÁR-am-ta-la-NÍ-tjuk with the main word stress still starting at the beginning
  • ESZ-közt

You do not need to force English-style moving stress around the word. Hungarian stress is very regular.

AI Language TutorTry it ↗
Your avatar
“What's the best way to learn Hungarian grammar?”
Hungarian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Hungarian

Master Hungarian — from Áramtalanítjuk az eszközt 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