Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Hungarian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about A kenyér nem rossz.
Why does the sentence start with A in A kenyér nem rossz?
In Hungarian, a is the definite article used before words that begin with a consonant (like kenyér). It functions similarly to the in English. If the noun starts with a vowel, you use az instead (for example, az alma for the apple).
How do I form a negation in Hungarian with nem?
Hungarian uses nem to negate verbs, adjectives, and full statements. It generally comes right before the word or phrase it negates. In A kenyér nem rossz, the word nem is placed before rossz to negate the idea of the bread being bad.
Is rossz an adjective or an adverb?
The word rossz is an adjective meaning bad. If you want an adverb (meaning badly or poorly), you would use rosszul instead. For instance, you'd say A kenyér rosszul néz ki (The bread looks bad in appearance) if you specifically wanted the adverb form.
Could I say Nem rossz a kenyér instead?
Yes, you can. Hungarian word order is fairly flexible. By saying Nem rossz a kenyér, you're emphasizing the negation first, which might slightly shift the speaker’s focus to the not bad part. However, A kenyér nem rossz is the more neutral or typical ordering.
How do I pronounce kenyér correctly?
Break it down as ke-nyér:
• ke: like the ke in kelvin.
• ny: a soft ny sound, similar to the ni in onion, but shorter.
• ér: a long air sound with a rolled r if you can manage it, though a light r also works fine.