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Questions & Answers about Néha elfelejtek enni.
What does each word in the sentence mean?
- Néha = sometimes (an adverb of frequency)
- el- = a verbal prefix (preverb) often adding a “complete/away” nuance; with felejt, it forms the common verb “to forget”
- felejt = forget
- -ek = 1st person singular, present, indefinite conjugation ending → elfelejtek = “I forget”
- enni = to eat (infinitive) The subject én (I) is omitted because it’s clear from the verb ending.
Why is it elfelejtek and not elfelejtem?
Hungarian uses the indefinite conjugation (-k) when there’s no definite direct object. Here the complement is just the infinitive enni (“to eat”), so the indefinite form elfelejtek is the default. You’d use the definite form elfelejtem when you forget something definite/specific, e.g. Néha elfelejtem megenni az ebédemet (“I sometimes forget to eat my lunch”).
Can I say Néha elfelejtem enni?
You’ll hear it in casual speech, but it’s safer and more standard to say Néha elfelejtek enni when there’s no definite object. Use elfelejtem if the infinitive has a definite object or you use a definite pronoun like azt (e.g., Azt is elfelejtem enni néha).
Do I need to say Én?
No. Hungarian is a pro‑drop language: the verb ending already shows the subject. Én is added only for emphasis or contrast: Én néha elfelejtek enni (“I, as opposed to others, sometimes forget to eat”).
Where can néha go in the sentence?
- Neutral: Néha elfelejtek enni.
- Also fine, slightly different rhythm/emphasis: Elfelejtek néha enni.
- With focus on the activity: Enni néha elfelejtek. Keep néha near the start for the most typical neutral feel.
What’s the role of the prefix el- in elfelejtek?
El- is a separable verbal prefix. In neutral statements it sits before the verb (elfelejtek). It moves after the verb with negation, focus, or certain constructions:
- Negation: Nem felejtek el enni.
- Imperative: Felejtsd el! (“Forget it!”) So you’ll see both stuck-together and split forms depending on sentence structure.
Why is it enni and not something like eszni?
“Eat” is irregular: the dictionary infinitive is enni. Present-tense forms are eszem, eszel, eszik, eszünk, esztek, esznek; past stems use ett-/ev- (e.g., ettem, evett). Don’t try to build the infinitive from esz-; just memorize enni.
Could I use the “personal” infinitive, like ennem?
Not here. With verbs like elfelejt, you normally use the plain infinitive (enni). Personal/possessed infinitives (ennem, enned, ennie, etc.) are used mainly with modal/necessity verbs (kell, lehet, szabad, illik): Ennem kell (“I must eat”). Say Elfelejtettem enni, not ✗Elfelejtettem ennem.
How do I say this in the past or future?
- Past (specific occasion): Tegnap elfelejtettem enni. (“Yesterday I forgot to eat.”)
- Future: Holnap valószínűleg el fogom felejteni enni. (“I’ll probably forget to eat tomorrow.”) For habits, present tense with an adverb like gyakran/néha is natural.
How would I say “I sometimes forget to eat my lunch”?
Use the definite conjugation and often a completive prefix on “eat”:
- Néha elfelejtem megenni az ebédemet. Here elfelejtem is definite (you forget a specific thing), and megenni suggests eating it up/finishing it.
Is felejtek without el- acceptable?
The most neutral verb for “forget” is elfelejt. You may see or hear felejt on its own in some contexts, but with this meaning it typically pairs with el- (attached or separated): elfelejtek / felejtek el. Don’t use meg- here; megfelejteni isn’t used.
Can I emphasize that it’s eating (not drinking) that I forget?
Yes, put the focused element before the verb; the prefix will then split:
- Enni felejtek el néha, nem inni. This focuses enni (“to eat”) as the contrastive item.