Learn Hardcore Hungarian: A kenyér olcsó itt.

In Hungarian, a noun like kenyér (bread) often takes a definite article (a or az) in contexts where English might not use one at all. It can indicate a general reference—like the concept of bread—or a specific instance. In this sentence, A kenyér is just the natural way to say Bread in a general sense in Hungarian.

Why doesn’t the sentence use van (the to be verb)?

When the predicate of a sentence is an adjective (like olcsó, cheap) and the subject is in third person singular or plural, Hungarian usually omits van. So instead of A kenyér van olcsó itt, the language naturally uses A kenyér olcsó itt or A kenyér itt olcsó.

Can we say Itt olcsó a kenyér instead?

Absolutely. Hungarian word order is quite flexible. Placing itt at the beginning emphasizes here, suggesting It is here that bread is cheap. If that nuance isn’t crucial, you can keep the original word order.

Why is the word itt at the end in the given sentence?

In Hungarian, information that is less emphasized often goes to the end. In A kenyér olcsó itt, the focus is on olcsó (cheap), while itt (here) is placed at the end as more of an additional piece of information.