Menj át a kapun, majd várj ott!

Go through the gate, then wait there!

Breakdown of Menj át a kapun, majd várj ott!

• ott: there
• te: you
• kapu: the gate
• átmenni: to go through
• majd: then
• várni: to wait

Questions & Answers about Menj át a kapun, majd várj ott!

What's the difference between Menj át a kapun and Menjetek át a kapun?

Menj is the singular second-person informal imperative form in Hungarian, used when speaking to one person. Menjetek is the plural second-person informal imperative form, used when speaking to more than one person. Aside from number, both forms share the same meaning: "Go through the gate!"

Why do we use át before kapun even though kapun already has a suffix?

In Hungarian, át functions as a verbal prefix (called an igekötő), meaning "across" or "through." Meanwhile, the suffix -n on kapun is the superessive ending, literally indicating "on the gate." Combined with át, it conveys the idea of moving across or through that space. So Menj át a kapun more naturally means "Go through the gate" rather than "Go on the gate."

What does the suffix -n in kapun imply in this context?

The -n suffix (superessive) typically means "on" something (kapu → kapun = "on the gate"). However, when used with the prefix át, as in át a kapun, it expresses motion through or across the gate. Hungarian often uses location suffixes in combination with verbal prefixes to show direction or manner of moving.

Is there a difference between majd and other words like aztán or akkor for “then”?

All three can mean "then," but they have slightly different nuances. Majd often implies a future sense ("later on" or "eventually"), while aztán is more like "after that," and akkor is often "in that moment" or "at that time." In this sentence, majd suggests the next step in a sequence of actions, without overemphasizing the exact time.

Why is the verb vár (to wait) used as várj?

Várj is the imperative (command) form for "wait" addressed to a single person in an informal way: you take the stem vár- and add the second-person singular imperative ending -j. So vár (the base form "to wait") becomes várj ("wait!"). This is why you see várj ott meaning "wait there!"