Neked is vigyáznod kell a festményre, ha az asztalon marad.

You also have to take care of the painting if it remains on the table.

Breakdown of Neked is vigyáznod kell a festményre, ha az asztalon marad.

• is: also
• te: you
• asztal: the table
• -on: on
• ha: if
• kell: to need
• festmény: the painting
• vigyázni: to take care
• -re: to
• maradni: to remain

Questions & Answers about Neked is vigyáznod kell a festményre, ha az asztalon marad.

What does Neked is mean, and why is it placed at the beginning of the sentence?

Neked is the dative form of te (you), and is means “also.” When placed at the beginning, it emphasizes that the instruction applies to you as well as possibly someone else. This fronting is common in Hungarian to highlight the addressee and add a nuance of “you, too” must be careful.

Why is the form vigyáznod used instead of the base form vigyázni?

In Hungarian, when a modal verb like kell (must/need to) is used, the following verb appears as a personal-inflected infinitive. The suffix -nod in vigyáznod indicates that the subject is the second person singular (you). This makes the construction equivalent to “you must take care” in English.

Why is the noun festmény modified to festményre with the suffix -re?

In this sentence, -re is a postpositional suffix that provides a directional or target-oriented meaning. With the verb vigyázni (to take care of or to watch over), attaching -re to festmény indicates that your care or caution should be directed at the painting. It is a typical Hungarian way to mark the object in contexts that imply a focus or direction of attention.

What is the role of the modal verb kell in the sentence?

Kell conveys necessity or obligation. In this sentence, it works with the personal-inflected infinitive vigyáznod to express that it is required for you to take care of the painting. Essentially, it functions similarly to “must” in English.

How does the conditional clause ha az asztalon marad function in the sentence?

The clause ha az asztalon marad translates to “if it remains on the table.” It sets the condition under which the obligation applies, clarifying that your careful attention to the painting is needed only when it stays on the table. This conditional structure is a common way in Hungarian to specify when a certain action is required.