Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Hungarian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ez a virág is szép.
Why does the Hungarian word is look the same as the English word is?
In Hungarian, is means also or too, and it’s completely unrelated to the English verb is. Think of it as a small particle that indicates that something is being added or included.
Why is the word order Ez a virág is szép instead of Ez is a virág szép?
Hungarian word order is quite flexible, but placing is right after virág highlights that this particular flower is also beautiful (in addition to something else). You could move is around, but the meaning and emphasis would shift. In regular speech, is often follows the word it modifies.
Can I place is at the end of the sentence, like Ez a virág szép is?
Technically, you might hear some variations in casual conversation, but it can sound a bit odd or shift emphasis in an unnatural way. Keeping is near the word it modifies is generally clearer and more common in standard Hungarian.
Do I need to use is in similar sentences if I only want to say something is beautiful without adding the idea of also?
No. If you just want to say This flower is beautiful, you’d leave out is: Ez a virág szép. Use is when you want to indicate it’s also something, comparing it to something else already mentioned or implied.
Is there a rule for how to pronounce is in Hungarian compared to English?
Yes, though the Hungarian is is very short and sounds like ish (without the English sh sound at the end—more like ish but gentle). It doesn’t carry much stress in a sentence because it’s just a small particle. In English, is is pronounced with a clear “z” sound at the end.