Leolvassuk a mérőórát.

A fairly literal breakdown is:

• le- = down/off
• olvas = read
• -juk = we
  • definite object verb ending
• a = the
• mérőórát = meter (as a direct object)

So the whole sentence means something like:

• We read the meter
• more literally: We read off the meter

In Hungarian, this is a normal way to say taking a meter reading.

Le- is a verbal prefix. In this sentence, it gives olvas (read) the sense of read off / take down from a display.

Compare:

• olvas = to read
• leolvas = to read off, to take a reading, to read something from a surface/display

This is very common in Hungarian: prefixes often change the meaning of a verb in a way that English expresses with an extra word like off, down, up, etc.

Because Hungarian verbs agree not only with the subject, but also with whether the object is definite.

Here:

• the subject is we
• the object is definite: a mérőórát = the meter

So Hungarian uses the definite conjugation:

• leolvasunk = we read / we read something (indefinite)
• leolvassuk = we read it / we read the specific thing (definite)

Since a mérőórát means the meter, leolvassuk is the correct form.

There are two things happening:

1. a = the
2. -t marks the direct object

So:

• mérőóra = meter
• a mérőóra = the meter
• a mérőórát = the meter (as the thing being read)

Hungarian usually marks direct objects with -t.

It is a compound word:

• mérő = measuring
• óra = clock, meter, gauge, instrument with a dial/display

So mérőóra literally means something like measuring meter/device.

In real usage, it commonly refers to a utility meter, such as:

• gas meter
• water meter
• electricity meter

Even though óra often means clock or hour, in compounds it can also mean a meter or gauge.

This is a neutral, natural word order for saying what we do.

Hungarian word order is flexible, but it is strongly connected to focus and emphasis.

• Leolvassuk a mérőórát. = neutral: We read the meter.
• A mérőórát olvassuk le. = stronger focus on the meter
• Mi olvassuk le a mérőórát. = emphasis on we

So the given sentence is a straightforward, unmarked version.

Yes. Hungarian verbal prefixes often separate from the verb in certain sentence types, especially with:

• negation
• focus
• some kinds of emphasis
• certain verb forms

Examples:

• Leolvassuk a mérőórát. = We read the meter.
• Nem olvassuk le a mérőórát. = We are not reading the meter.
• A mérőórát olvassuk le. = It is the meter that we read off.

So in the basic affirmative sentence, the prefix stays attached, but it can move in other structures.

Grammatically, it is present tense.

However, like in English, Hungarian present tense can sometimes refer to a planned or near-future action if the context makes that clear.

So depending on context, it could mean:

• We are reading the meter
• We read the meter
• sometimes even We’ll read the meter

But without extra context, the basic interpretation is present tense.

In Hungarian, the verb ending often already tells you the subject.

Here, -juk tells you that the subject is we.

So Leolvassuk already means we read it / we read the definite thing.

You could add mi (we) for emphasis:

• Mi leolvassuk a mérőórát.

But normally it is not necessary.

That comes from how the verb is formed.

The base verb is olvas. When the definite we ending is added, the form becomes olvassuk. This creates a doubled s sound in spelling.

So:

• olvas
• olvassuk
• leolvassuk

This is a normal spelling pattern, not something unusual you need to memorize separately for this one verb only.

A rough pronunciation guide:

• Leolvassuk ≈ leh-ol-vah-shook
• a ≈ short aw
• mérőórát ≈ may-roe-oh-raat

A few useful points:

• s in Hungarian is pronounced like English sh
• sz is the English s sound
• á is a long open vowel
• ő is a long rounded vowel, somewhat like a long version of the vowel in French deux or German schön

So olvassuk sounds like ol-va-shook, not ol-va-sook.

You might be understood, but it would not sound as natural for the idea of taking a meter reading.

• olvasni = to read
• leolvasni = to read off / take a reading

For meters, gauges, displays, and similar things, leolvasni is the usual and idiomatic choice.

So Leolvassuk a mérőórát is the better sentence here.