A tolmács vigyáz a fordító táskájára, miközben a zongoránál maradnak, mert ott kényelmes a pad.

The interpreter takes care of the translator’s bag while they remain at the piano, because the bench is comfortable there.

Breakdown of A tolmács vigyáz a fordító táskájára, miközben a zongoránál maradnak, mert ott kényelmes a pad.

• lenni: to be
• ott: there
• -ra: to
• mert: because
• zongora: the piano
• vigyázni: to take care
• maradni: to remain
• tolmács: the interpreter
• fordító táska: the translator’s bag
• miközben: while
• -nál: at
• pad: the bench
• kényelmes: comfortable

Questions & Answers about A tolmács vigyáz a fordító táskájára, miközben a zongoránál maradnak, mert ott kényelmes a pad.

What is the difference between tolmács and fordító in this sentence?

Tolmács typically means interpreter—someone who translates spoken language in real time—while fordító usually means translator—someone who translates written texts. Even though both words deal with language mediation, the sentence uses them to refer to two distinct roles, which is why the interpreter is looking after the translator’s bag.

How do the suffixes in táskájára work to indicate both possession and location?

In táskájára, the noun táska (bag) first takes the third-person possessive suffix -ja, showing that the bag belongs to someone (here, the translator). Then the directional suffix -ra is added, which can indicate “onto” or “at” in context. Together, they tell us that the interpreter is looking after the translator’s bag.

What role does miközben play in this sentence?

Miközben is a subordinating conjunction meaning “while”. It introduces a clause that shows an action happening simultaneously with the main clause—in this case, indicating that as the interpreter keeps an eye on the translator’s bag, both individuals are remaining by the piano.

Why is the verb maradnak in the plural form, even though only the interpreter is mentioned by name at the start?

Although the sentence begins with the tolmács (interpreter), the presence of the fordító (translator) is also implied. The plural verb maradnak signals that both the interpreter and the translator are involved in staying at the piano. Hungarian often leaves the subject unspoken when context makes it clear, and the plural form here confirms that more than one person is included.

How is the locative meaning expressed in zongoránál, and what does it indicate?

The word zongoránál is formed from zongora (piano) with the locative suffix -nál, which denotes being “at” or “by” a location. This construction tells us that the action of remaining takes place at the piano.

Why does the clause "ott kényelmes a pad" use a word order that differs from typical English sentence structure?

Hungarian word order is more flexible than English. In "ott kényelmes a pad," the adverb ott (there) comes first to set the location, followed by the adjective kényelmes (comfortable) and then the noun a pad (the bench). This order emphasizes the location and the attribute of the bench rather than following a strict subject–verb structure, which is common in Hungarian.