Learn Hardcore Hungarian: Ha muszáj, Önök most üljenek le, és várjanak az utcán. - If it is necessary, please formal, plural sit down now and wait on the street.

"Önök" is the formal plural "you." With the polite pronouns Ön/Önök, Hungarian uses third‑person verb forms. That’s why you see üljenek and várjanak (3rd‑person plural jussive/imperative) instead of 2nd‑person forms.

Are "üljenek" and "várjanak" imperatives? How are they formed?

Yes. They’re the jussive/imperative 3rd‑person plural, made with -janak/-jenek according to vowel harmony.

vár → várj- + -anak → várjanak (back vowel, so -a-)
ül → ülj- + -enek → üljenek (front vowel, so -e-) The stem plus -j- may cause small changes (e.g., ül → ülj).

Why is it "üljenek le" rather than "leüljenek"?

In affirmative imperatives (and in focus, negation, and questions), Hungarian places the verbal prefix after the verb: üljenek le. The prefix returns before the verb in neutral contexts like many subordinate clauses: Azt kérem, hogy leüljenek. With negation: Ne üljenek le.

What does "Ha muszáj" add? Could I use "kell" instead?

Ha muszáj means “if it’s necessary / if you must,” often hinting at reluctance or grudging permission. Ha kell is a bit more neutral. Both are fine here; muszáj feels stronger and more colloquial/idiomatic.

Is the comma after "Ha muszáj" and the one before "és" correct?

After Ha muszáj: yes—an initial subordinate clause is followed by a comma.
Before és: optional in Hungarian when linking two main clauses. Many writers use it if the clauses are longer or the link is looser. The version with the comma is acceptable.

Why "az utcán" and not "az utcára"?

-n/-on/-en/-ön (superessive) marks location: “on/in the street.” -ra/-re (sublative) marks movement onto/to somewhere. So várjanak az utcán = “wait in the street.” If you mean “go out to the street and wait there,” say: Menjenek ki az utcára, és ott várjanak.

Why "az" (not "a") in "az utcán"?

Hungarian uses az before a vowel-initial word. Utca starts with a vowel, so it’s az utcán.

Do we have to include "Önök"? What happens if we drop it?

You can drop it, but üljenek/várjanak are grammatically 3rd‑person plural and thus ambiguous between “they should…” and polite‑plural “you should…”. Context often clarifies; adding Önök makes the polite address explicit.

Does the position of "most" matter? Could I say "Üljenek le most"?

Both work. Most üljenek le puts most in the focus slot (immediately before the verb), emphasizing the timing (“now, not later”). Üljenek le most is more neutral, simply attaching “now” as an adverb.

Why not just say "üljenek" without "le"?

Without the prefix, ül denotes the state of being seated. In requests, plain Üljenek! can be understood as “Please sit (down),” but Üljenek le! explicitly asks for the action of sitting down, which is clearer and more standard.

How would I say this to one person politely, and informally?

Formal singular (Ön): Ha muszáj, Ön most üljön le, és várjon az utcán.
Informal singular (te): Ha muszáj, most ülj le, és várj az utcán.
Informal plural (ti): Ha muszáj, most üljetek le, és várjatok az utcán.

Is "várni" used with an object or with -ra/-re? Is "várjanak az utcán" okay as is?

Várni can be used:

absolutely: várni = to wait,
with a direct object: valakit várni (wait for someone),
with -ra/-re: valamire/valakire várni (wait for something/someone). So Várjanak az utcán is fine; it just specifies the place.

Is the sentence polite enough? How could I soften it?

Bare imperatives can sound brusque. Softer options:

Kérem, most üljenek le, és várjanak az utcán.
Legyenek szívesek, most üljenek le, és várjanak az utcán.
Adding kérem szépen also helps in speech.

Should "Önök" be capitalized?

In formal letters and official notices it’s customary to capitalize polite pronouns (Ön, Önök, Maga/Maguk). In everyday writing, lowercase is common and acceptable.

Any quick pronunciation/spelling tips?

Stress is always on the first syllable: ÖNök, ÜLjenek, VÁRjanak, UTcán, MUszáj.
Long vowels: á in muszáj and utcán are long.
j sounds like English “y” (e.g., ülj- ~ “yüly-”).
Common error: spell it muszáj, not “muszály.”