Breakdown of A könyvtárban mindig csend van.
lenni
to be
-ben
in
könyvtár
the library
mindig
always
csend
the silence
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Questions & Answers about A könyvtárban mindig csend van.
What does the suffix -ban in könyvtárban indicate?
The -ban ending is the Hungarian inessive case, which expresses “in” or “inside.” It attaches to könyvtár (library) to form könyvtárban, meaning in the library.
Why do we write A könyvtárban instead of just Könyvtárban?
Hungarian uses the definite article with singular, specific nouns even when you add a case ending. So a könyvtárban literally is the library-in, i.e. in the library. If you dropped the article (Könyvtárban), it would sound more general—like saying in libraries rather than in the library.
Why doesn’t csend have an article? Why not a csend?
Csend (silence) is an uncountable or mass noun in Hungarian, and existential sentences (there is/are) typically omit the article with mass nouns. Saying a csend would point to a specific, identifiable silence, which doesn’t fit the general statement “there is always silence.”
Why is the verb van used here? What does it mean?
Van is the 3rd person singular present form of lenni (“to be”). In Hungarian, you use van to express there is (or there are) in existential contexts. The basic pattern is
[thing] van [location]
So csend van a könyvtárban = there is silence in the library.
What determines the word order in this sentence? Why isn’t it Csend van a könyvtárban mindig?
Hungarian is a topic–focus language with flexible word order. In A könyvtárban mindig csend van, the fronted phrase A könyvtárban mindig sets the topic/context (where and when). The remainder, csend van, is the comment or focus. A neutral version without the adverb would be Csend van a könyvtárban (“There is silence in the library”). Moving elements around shifts emphasis.
Can we rearrange mindig and csend? How does that affect emphasis?
Yes. For example:
- Mindig csend van a könyvtárban. (“There is always silence in the library.”) – Emphasizes always.
- Csend van mindig a könyvtárban. – Puts the spotlight on silence.
- A könyvtárban csend van mindig. – Stresses the location more strongly.
The element you move toward the front usually gains extra emphasis.
How would you ask “Is there always silence in the library?” in Hungarian?
Two common ways:
1) Rely on intonation:
A könyvtárban mindig csend van?
2) Add the interrogative enclitic -e to the verb:
A könyvtárban mindig csend van-e?
Both mean Is there always silence in the library? The enclitic is clearer in writing or formal speech.
How do you say “There was always silence in the library” (past tense)?
Just replace van (is) with its past tense form volt (was):
A könyvtárban mindig csend volt.
This means There was always silence in the library.