Emlékszem a filmre.

I remember the movie.

Breakdown of Emlékszem a filmre.

• én: I
• -re: to
• film: the movie
• emlékezni: to remember

Questions & Answers about Emlékszem a filmre.

Why does Hungarian use -re on filmre here?

Because the verb emlékszik/emlékezik governs the sublative case (-ra/-re). In Hungarian you literally “remember onto” something: emlékszik valamire = remembers something. So a filmre is required by the verb’s government, not the direct-object accusative.

Why isn’t it a filmet?

With emlékszik/emlékezik, the thing remembered is not a direct object, so you don’t use the accusative (-t). You must use the sublative (-ra/-re). Saying Emlékszem a filmet is ungrammatical.

Why is it -re (front-vowel) and not -ra?

Vowel harmony. Film contains the front vowel i, so the front variant -re is used: filmre. Examples:

• Back vowels (a, o, u, á, ó, ú): házra, autóra
• Front vowels (e, i, ö, ü, é, ő, ű): képre, könyvre, filmre

What does the a before filmre do?

It’s the definite article, equivalent to English “the”: a/az. You use a before consonant-initial words (a filmre), az before vowel-initial words (az autóra). If you mean “a film,” use egy: Emlékszem egy filmre.

How do I say “I remember it”?

Use the pronominal form of -ra/-re: rá.

• Emlékszem rá. = I remember it. If you want to emphasize “that,” you can use a demonstrative:
• Arra emlékszem. or Emlékszem arra. For a specific noun with a demonstrative:
• Arra a filmre emlékszem. (That film is the one I remember.)

What’s the difference between emlékszem and emlékezem? Is emlékezek okay?

• Emlékszem comes from emlékszik and is very common.
• Emlékezem comes from emlékezik and is also correct; it can sound a touch more formal.
• Emlékezek is widespread in speech but considered nonstandard in formal writing. Prefer emlékezem or emlékszem.

Where is the subject “I”? Why is Én omitted?

Hungarian verb endings mark the subject, so Én is usually dropped: Emlékszem already means “I remember.” You add Én only for contrast/emphasis:

• Én emlékszem a filmre (implying others don’t).

Can I change the word order to emphasize the film?

Yes. Put the focused element immediately before the verb:

• Neutral: Emlékszem a filmre.
• Focus on the film: A filmre emlékszem. (It’s the film that I remember.)

How do I negate it?

Use nem before the verb:

• Nem emlékszem a filmre.
• With a pronoun: Nem emlékszem rá.

How do I say it in the past?

Use the past of emlékezik (even if you prefer emlékszik in the present):

• Emlékeztem a filmre. = I remembered the film.
• 3rd singular: Emlékezett a filmre. Note: Forms like “emlékszettem” do not exist.

How do I say “I remember that …”?

Two common patterns:

• Emlékszem, hogy láttuk. (I remember that we saw it.)
• Emlékszem arra, hogy láttuk. (More explicit/formal; literally “I remember onto that that we saw it.”)

Does the same -ra/-re pattern work with people?

Yes, with this verb you also use -ra/-re for people:

• Emlékszem Péterre. (I remember Péter.)
• Pronoun: Emlékszem rá.

Which other verbs or adjectives take -ra/-re with a similar meaning?

Common ones include:

• gondol valamire (think about)
• vár valamire (wait for)
• vágyik valamire (long for)
• kíváncsi valamire (be curious about)

How do I pronounce Emlékszem?

• é is a long “eh” sound.
• sz is like English “s.” (Hungarian s is “sh.”)
• Syllables: em-lé-kszem. The cluster ksz is pronounced [k + s].

Is there a related expression with a slightly different nuance?

Yes:

• Eszembe jut a film. = The film comes to mind (a sudden recollection).
• Emlékszem a filmre. = I remember the film (stable memory/ability to recall).