Én szeretem sétálni, ha meleg időjárás van.

I like to walk when there is warm weather.

Breakdown of Én szeretem sétálni, ha meleg időjárás van.

• lenni: to be
• én: I
• sétálni: to walk
• szeretni: to like
• ha: if
• meleg időjárás: the warm weather

Questions & Answers about Én szeretem sétálni, ha meleg időjárás van.

Why does the sentence start with Én even though Hungarian often omits subject pronouns?

In Hungarian, the subject pronoun is often dropped because the verb ending already indicates who is performing the action. However, including Én (meaning I) can add emphasis or clarity, which is especially helpful for learners who are still familiarizing themselves with the language’s structure.

How is the infinitive sétálni functioning in the sentence?

Sétálni is the infinitive form of the verb meaning to walk. In Hungarian, when expressing likes or preferences with verbs like szeret, the action is presented in its infinitive form (ending in -ni). Here, it serves as the direct object of the verb szeretem, letting you say, "I like to walk."

What does the word ha mean, and how is it used here?

Ha means if in English. It introduces a subordinate clause that provides a condition. In this sentence, the clause ha meleg időjárás van translates to "if the weather is warm," specifying the circumstances under which the speaker enjoys walking.

Why is there a comma before the clause ha meleg időjárás van?

In Hungarian, a comma is used to separate the main clause from a subordinate clause. The comma here distinguishes the primary statement (Én szeretem sétálni) from the condition indicating when the action applies (ha meleg időjárás van), much like how complex sentences are punctuated in English.

How are the verbs szeretem and van used in terms of tense and agreement?

Both verbs are in the present tense. Szeretem is the first-person singular form of szeretni, meaning I like (or sometimes I love), while van is the present tense of lenni (to be), used here to state that a condition (warm weather) exists. They indicate the speaker’s current preference and the current state of the weather, respectively.

Can you explain the adjective-noun structure in meleg időjárás?

Certainly! Meleg is an adjective meaning warm, and it comes directly before időjárás, which is a noun meaning weather. Hungarian typically places adjectives before nouns without a linking verb, so meleg időjárás directly translates to warm weather.

Is it necessary to always include the subject pronoun Én in such sentences?

No, it isn’t required. Because the verb szeretem clearly shows that the subject is first-person singular, you can omit Én. The sentence would still be correct as Szeretem sétálni, ha meleg időjárás van. Including Én simply adds emphasis or clarity, which can be useful for learners.