Ez a szék.

This is the chair.

Breakdown of Ez a szék.

• ez: this
• lenni: to be
• szék: the chair

Questions & Answers about Ez a szék.

Why is there a definite article ("a") after "Ez"?

Hungarian typically uses a definite article (a before consonants, az before vowels) when a specific noun is being identified. In the phrase Ez a szék, the article helps mark that this refers to a particular chair, not just any chair.

Can “Ez a szék” be translated literally word-for-word into English?

A direct word-for-word translation would be something like: This the chair. However, English doesn’t use the definite article in this construction. In English we simply say This is the chair, while in Hungarian you need the definite article.

What’s the difference between “Ez a szék” and “Ez a szék itt”?

Ez a szék already means This is the chair. Adding itt (meaning here) puts extra emphasis on the location: Ez a szék itt = This chair here. It’s used when you really want to specify which one exactly in a location.

How do you pronounce “szék”?

Hungarian sz is pronounced like the s in sun, and é is a long e sound (similar to saying the English ay but shorter and without the y glide). So szék sounds roughly like sayk with a very clear s sound at the start.