Learn Hardcore Hungarian: Ez a szökőkút a téren található.

sz is like the 's' in "sound,"
ö is similar to the 'i' in "sir" (but with more rounded lips),
kő has the 'k' sound plus ő (a longer version of ö),
kút is "coot" with a slightly longer 'u'.
Together: s-zö-kő-koot (with the main stress on the first syllable).

Why do we say Ez a szökőkút a téren található instead of using van (as in "Ez a szökőkút a téren van")?

Both van and található can mean "is (located)" in Hungarian.
• van is more direct and common for stating existence: "A bolt a sarkon van" ("The store is on the corner").
• található has a slight nuance of "can be found" or "is located": it sounds a bit more formal or descriptive, emphasizing location.

What is the role of the definite article a in a téren?

In Hungarian, we generally use the definite article a or az when referring to a specific place or object. Since "tér" ("square") is specific here, it becomes a téren ("on the square"), literally "on the square."

Why is there also an a before szökőkút if ez ("this") is already making it definite?

When you point out something specific in Hungarian (with ez), you usually follow it with the article and noun, for example:
• Ez a könyv = "This (the) book."
• Ez a szökőkút = "This (the) fountain."
It’s a standard structure in Hungarian to use ez/"this" along with the definite article when naming something directly.

Is the word order flexible if I want to emphasize certain parts of the sentence?

Hungarian word order is quite flexible. You could say:
• A téren található ez a szökőkút (emphasizing the location first),
• Ez a szökőkút található a téren (emphasizing the subject first),
and so on. The choice depends on what you want to emphasize. The core meaning ("This fountain is located in the square") remains the same.