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Questions & Answers about A diák zene nélkül tanul.
Is nélkü l a suffix or a separate word? What does it govern?
It’s a separate postposition meaning “without.” It follows a noun, which stays in its base (nominative) form: zene nélkül = “without music.” With pronouns, it fuses into one word: nélkülem, nélküled, nélküle, nélkülünk, nélkületek, nélkülük. The whole postpositional phrase can move around for word order purposes, but nélkül always follows its complement.
Why is it zene and not zenét?
Because nélkül does not take an accusative object. The noun it governs remains in nominative: zene nélkül, not ✗zenét nélkül. This is true for many Hungarian postpositions (e.g., előtt, után, mellett, alatt, körül).
Why is there no article before zene? Could I say a zene nélkül?
Abstract or mass nouns in such adverbial phrases are typically bare: zene nélkül. You would only use the article if a specific, identifiable music is meant: a zene nélkül “without the (particular) music,” e.g., a hangos zene nélkül “without the loud music (we both know about).” In most contexts here, the bare form is natural.
Does zene nélkül have to appear right before the verb? What about A diák tanul zene nélkül or Zene nélkül tanul a diák?
All three are possible:
- A diák zene nélkül tanul. Most natural and slightly highlights “without music.”
- A diák tanul zene nélkül. Also grammatical; often feels more neutral or afterthought-like.
- Zene nélkül tanul a diák. Puts stronger emphasis on “without music” (e.g., in contrast to with music). In Hungarian, the element immediately before the finite verb is typically the focus, so placing zene nélkül there emphasizes it.
Why is the verb tanul and not tanulja?
Hungarian has indefinite vs. definite conjugation. Tanul (3sg indefinite) is used because there’s no definite direct object. Tanulja (3sg definite) is used when there is a definite object: A diák a verset tanulja “The student is learning the poem.”
What’s the difference between tanul and megtanul?
- tanul = “to study / be learning” (an ongoing activity, no implication of completion).
- megtanul = “to learn (successfully, to completion).” You can say: A diák zene nélkül megtanul egy verset “The student learns a poem (successfully) without music.” But you wouldn’t use megtanul without an object in this sense.
How do I say “with music”?
- zenével tanul = studies with music (as accompaniment/instrument).
- zene mellett tanul = studies with music “going on/in the background.”
- zenét hallgatva tanul = studies while listening to music. All are idiomatic; choose based on nuance.
How do I make it plural or talk about a/some student?
- Plural: A diákok zene nélkül tanulnak. “The students study without music.”
- Indefinite singular: Egy diák zene nélkül tanul. “A/One student studies without music.”
Does the Hungarian present tense cover both “studies” and “is studying”?
Yes. A diák zene nélkül tanul can mean habitual “studies” or present progressive “is studying,” depending on context. If you want to make “right now” explicit, add most: A diák most zene nélkül tanul.
How is this pronounced? Where is the stress?
Stress is always on the first syllable of each word.
- A: short “aw” (like British “cot”).
- diák: DI-ák; long á (“ah” held longer).
- zene: ZE-ne; both e are short (as in “met”).
- nélkül: NÉL-kül; long é (like “ay” in “say,” but tenser) and long ű (rounded, like German “ü,” held longer).
- tanul: TA-nul; both vowels short; u is like “oo” in “book.”
How do I say “without me/you/him/her/us/them”?
Use the fused forms: nélkülem, nélküled, nélküle, nélkülünk, nélkületek, nélkülük. With names: Péter nélkül “without Péter.”
Why is it A diák and not Az diák?
Hungarian uses a before a consonant-initial word and az before a vowel-initial word:
- a diák, az iskola. Note that h counts as a consonant: a híd.
Is diák the only word for “student”?
- diák: general “student,” often for school-age learners (but can be broader).
- tanuló: “learner/pupil,” commonly for primary/secondary school.
- hallgató: university/college student. All are common; choose based on level and context.
Can I turn “without X” into an adjective?
Yes, use -i: nélküli. For example:
- zene nélküli tanulás “study without music.”
- cukor nélküli tea “tea without sugar.” This creates an attributive adjective from the nélkül phrase.
How do I ask or negate this sentence?
- Yes/no question: A diák zene nélkül tanul?
- Negation (two common patterns):
- A diák nem tanul zene nélkül. “The student doesn’t study without music” (i.e., they require music).
- A diák nem zene nélkül tanul, hanem zenével. “The student doesn’t study without music, but with music.”