Learn Hardcore Hungarian: A diák fáradt.

It translates as The student is tired. Here A = “the,” diák = “student,” and fáradt = “tired.” The English is is implied rather than written.

Why isn’t there a word for is (like van) in this sentence?

In Hungarian the present-tense copula van (“is”) is usually dropped in affirmative statements. You simply state the noun and its predicate: A diák fáradt.

Why do we use A and not Az before diák?

Hungarian has two definite articles: a before consonant-initial words and az before vowel-initial words. Since diák begins with the consonant d, we use a (capitalized to A at the start of a sentence).

Do adjectives like fáradt have to agree with the noun in number or gender?

Adjectives in Hungarian don’t change for gender. As predicates they only take a plural ending when the noun is plural. So for one student you say fáradt, for more students fáradtak.

How do you say “The students are tired”?

You form the plural of diák → diákok (“students”) and add the adjective ending -ak:
A diákok fáradtak.

Can I say Egy diák fáradt.? What does that mean?

Yes. Egy = “a/an,” so Egy diák fáradt. means A student is tired (indefinite). Everything else works the same—no van needed.

Where does fáradt come from? Is it a verb form or an adjective?

It’s the past participle of the verb fárad (“to get tired”) with the suffix -t, and it’s used adjectivally. Literally “become tired” → “tired.”

How do you pronounce fáradt?

Phonetically á is a long “a” (as in father), the second a is short, like the “o” in British “hot,” and the final d is clear.