Questions & Answers about A könyvtárban tilos enni.
What does each word in the sentence mean?
- A = the (definite article)
- könyvtár = library (from könyv “book” + tár “store/collection”)
- -ban = in (inessive case suffix; back-vowel form of the suffix)
- Together: könyvtárban = in the library
- tilos = forbidden, not allowed
- enni = to eat (infinitive)
So: “In the library, it’s forbidden to eat.”
Why is it -ban and not -ben?
Hungarian suffixes obey vowel harmony. Words with any back vowel (a, á, o, ó, u, ú) take the back form -ban; words with only front vowels (e, é, i, í, ö, ő, ü, ű) take -ben. Könyvtár contains á (a back vowel), so it takes -ban: könyvtárban.
Examples:
- kertben (“in the garden”) – only front vowels, so -ben
- szobában (“in the room”) – has back vowel o, so -ban
What case is könyvtárban, and what are the related “in/into/out of” forms?
It’s the inessive case (“in”). The common interior-location trio is:
- könyvtárban = in the library (inessive, -ban/-ben)
- könyvtárba = into the library (illative, -ba/-be)
- könyvtárból = out of/from the library (elative, -ból/-ből)
Why is there no word for “is” (no van)?
Hungarian drops the present-tense copula van when the predicate is a noun or an adjective. Tilos is an adjective (“forbidden”), so you say A könyvtárban tilos enni, not “A könyvtárban van tilos enni.”
What kind of word is tilos, and how is it used?
Tilos is an adjective meaning “forbidden/prohibited.” Common patterns:
- With an infinitive: Tilos enni. (“Eating is forbidden.”)
- With a noun/nominalization: Tilos az evés. (“Eating is forbidden.”)
- Optionally specify who it’s forbidden for with the dative: A diákoknak tilos enni. (“For students, eating is forbidden.”)
How is tilos different from nem szabad or nem lehet?
- tilos = expressly forbidden (strong, official/prohibitive; typical on signs)
- nem szabad = not allowed (neutral, permission-focused)
- nem lehet = not possible/you can’t (often used to mean “not allowed,” but literally about possibility)
All are used, but tilos sounds the strictest.
Can I change the word order? For example: Enni tilos a könyvtárban or A könyvtárban enni tilos?
Yes. Hungarian word order is flexible and reflects emphasis:
- A könyvtárban tilos enni. – neutral, foregrounds the place.
- Enni tilos a könyvtárban. – emphasizes that eating (as opposed to e.g. drinking) is forbidden.
- A könyvtárban enni tilos. – slightly emphasizes the activity within that place.
All three are natural.
Why is the article A and not Az?
Use Az before vowel sounds, A before consonants. Könyvtár starts with consonant k, so A könyvtárban. Example with Az: Az iskolában (“in the school”), because iskola starts with a vowel.
Can I drop the article and say Könyvtárban tilos enni?
Yes. Without the article, it leans more generic/institutional (“At/Inside a library, eating is forbidden” or “In libraries in general…”). With A, it sounds more like a particular library.
How do I specify who it’s forbidden for?
Use the dative -nak/-nek, optionally with a personal infinitive:
- Group: A diákoknak tilos enni a könyvtárban. (“Students are forbidden to eat in the library.”)
- Specific person: Neked tilos enni a könyvtárban. or with a personal infinitive: Tilos enned a könyvtárban. Personal infinitive endings with enni: ennem (I), enned (you sg), ennie (he/she), ennünk, ennetek, enniük.
Why is the infinitive enni and not something like eszni?
“Eat” is irregular: the dictionary form/infinitive is enni, but the present-tense stem is eszik:
- I eat: eszem; you: eszel; he/she: eszik
- Past: ettem, ettél, evett, etc. A similar pattern exists with inni (“to drink”): present iszik.
How do I pronounce this sentence?
- Stress is always on the first syllable of each word: KÖNYV-tár-ban, TI-los, EN-ni.
- ö is a front rounded vowel (like French “peu”).
- ny is a single sound, like the “ny” in “canyon” (palatal n).
- á is a long “a” (as in “father,” length matters). A rough guide: “KÖNYV-tar-ban TEE-losh EN-ni.”
How do I say “In libraries it’s forbidden to eat” (plural)?
A könyvtárakban tilos enni. (könyvtárak = libraries; -ban attached to the plural form: könyvtárakban)
Can I use a noun instead of the infinitive, like “Eating is forbidden in the library”?
Yes: Az evés tilos a könyvtárban. It’s correct and slightly more formal. On signs and in everyday use, the infinitive Enni tilos is extremely common.
How do I ask for permission politely?
- Szabad enni a könyvtárban? (“Is it allowed to eat in the library?”)
- Lehet enni a könyvtárban? (“Is it possible/allowed to eat in the library?”)
- Polite notice style: Kérjük, ne egyenek a könyvtárban. (“Please do not eat in the library.”; plural/formal “you”)
What does Nem tilos enni a könyvtárban mean, and is it the same as “allowed”?
Nem tilos enni a könyvtárban = “It’s not forbidden to eat in the library.” That only states there is no prohibition. If you want to say it is allowed, use Szabad enni a könyvtárban or colloquially Lehet enni a könyvtárban.
Is there a difference between tilos and tiltott?
Yes.
- tilos = “forbidden” used predicatively about actions: Tilos enni.
- tiltott = “forbidden/prohibited” as an attributive adjective before nouns: tiltott tárgy (“prohibited item”). You don’t normally say tiltott enni.
Why do signs sometimes just say Enni tilos! without the place?
That’s a concise, sign-style imperative-like statement meaning “No eating!” The place is understood from context (e.g., posted inside a library). You can also see: Dohányozni tilos! (“No smoking!”).
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