Learn Hardcore Hungarian: A diák gyorsan eszik, a tanár lassan eszik. - The student eats quickly, the teacher eats slowly.

In Hungarian, A (or Az before a vowel) is the definite article. Since diák ("student") and tanár ("teacher") both begin with a consonant, we use A before them to specify "the student" and "the teacher" respectively.

Why is the verb eszik the same for both diák and tanár?

Hungarian uses the same indefinite verb form in the third-person singular for both subjects. So, for "he eats," "she eats," or "it eats," we always use eszik. The subject (diák or tanár) doesn't affect the verb ending in the indefinite conjugation.

Are gyorsan and lassan adverbs or adjectives?

They are adverbs. Gyorsan means "quickly," and lassan means "slowly," describing how the subject performs the action of eating.

Can I rearrange the word order, for example Gyorsan eszik a diák?

Yes, Hungarian allows flexible word order, and Gyorsan eszik a diák is still correct. However, the emphasis changes slightly: putting gyorsan first stresses the manner of eating. In the original sentence A diák gyorsan eszik, "the student" is emphasized first.

Is it ever acceptable to omit the second eszik?

Yes. In casual Hungarian, people might say A diák gyorsan eszik, a tanár lassan, leaving out the second verb. The meaning remains clear. However, including eszik both times creates a clearer, more formal parallel structure.