A tanterem közelében van egy nagy fa.

There is a big tree near the classroom.

Breakdown of A tanterem közelében van egy nagy fa.

• lenni: to be
• nagy: big
• egy: a
• közel: proximity
• -ben: in
• tanterem: the classroom
• fa: the tree

Questions & Answers about A tanterem közelében van egy nagy fa.

Why is the word "a" used in "A tanterem", even though we usually translate it as "the classroom" in English?

In Hungarian, definite articles ("a" / "az") are used similarly to "the" in English, indicating a specific classroom that both the speaker and listener know about. However, Hungarian uses the article consistently once a noun becomes specific. So even though it translates to "the classroom" in English, in Hungarian it’s simply "a tanterem" or "az iskola" (if the next word starts with a vowel).

What exactly does the word "közelében" mean?

The base word is "közel", meaning "near", and "-ben" is a suffix that can mean "in" or "inside". Together with the possessive marker (in this case for "a tanterem"), "közelében" is like saying "in the near area" or "close by" with a possessed form. It implies "close to the classroom".

Why does the sentence place "van" (meaning "there is") after "közelében"?

Hungarian word order is more flexible than in English, but it often puts emphasis on what comes before "van". In this case, "A tanterem közelében" (near the classroom) is the significant part, and then "van egy nagy fa" states that "there is a big tree". This order highlights the location first, then the existence of the tree.

Is there a reason why the adjective "nagy" (meaning "big") comes before "fa" (tree)?

Yes, in Hungarian, descriptive adjectives usually come before the noun they modify. So "nagy fa" literally translates to "big tree", with the adjective right in front of the noun.

Why is it "egy nagy fa" instead of just "nagy fa"?

The word "egy" is the indefinite article in Hungarian, similar to "a" or "an" in English. It’s common to place "egy" before a noun when you first introduce something that hasn’t been mentioned before. It highlights that this is "a big tree" (not previously referred to).