Learn Hardcore Hungarian: Kié ez a jegy?

Kié means whose (is it?). It’s built from ki (who) + the possessive/nominalizing suffix -é, which turns a possessor into a stand‑alone word meaning X’s (one). The same -é shows up in:

Jánosé = John’s (one)
az enyém = mine
az övé = his/hers

Why is there no verb (no van) in Kié ez a jegy?

Hungarian drops the 3rd‑person present of “to be” (van/vannak) in simple equational sentences (X is Y). So Whose is this ticket? is just Kié ez a jegy? without van. You do use forms of “to be”:

for location/existence: A jegy az asztalon van. (The ticket is on the table.)
in other tenses: Kié volt/lesz ez a jegy? (was/will be)

Can I also say Ez a jegy kié?

Yes. Both Kié ez a jegy? and Ez a jegy kié? are grammatical. Starting with Kié is the default neutral question; starting with Ez a jegy sounds like you’re introducing the topic first (As for this ticket, whose is it?).

What’s the difference between Kié ez a jegy? and Kinek a jegye ez?

They mean the same thing. Kié is the compact “whose (is it)” form. Kinek a jegye uses the dative possessor (kinek = to whom) and the possessed noun with a possessive ending (jegye = his/her ticket). Both are very common:

Kié ez a jegy?
Ez kinek a jegye? / Kinek a jegye ez?

How do I answer it? (It’s mine. It’s John’s. It’s his/hers.)

Typical short answers use the -é forms:

Az enyém. = mine
Jánosé. = John’s
Az övé. = his/hers You can also use a full noun phrase:
Ez az én jegyem. = This is my ticket.
Ez János jegye. = This is John’s ticket.

How do I ask about plural things or plural owners?

Hungarian marks plural on either the owner, the owned thing, or both:

Whose are these tickets? → Kiéi ezek a jegyek? (plural possessed)
Whose (plural people) is this ticket? → Kiké ez a jegy? (plural possessor)
Whose (plural people) are these tickets? → Kikéi ezek a jegyek? Many speakers also use the safer “kinek” versions:
Kinek a jegyei ezek? / Kiknek a jegyei ezek? Possible short answers:
Az enyéim. = mine (plural things)
A diákoké. = the students’ (owners are plural)

Why is it ez a jegy and not just ez jegy?

With a demonstrative (ez/az = this/that), Hungarian also uses the definite article (a/az) before the noun:

ez a jegy = this ticket (jegy starts with a consonant → article a)
ez az alma = this apple (alma starts with a vowel → article az) For “that”: az a jegy, az az alma. The double az in ez az alma / az az alma is normal: first is the demonstrative, second is the article.

Can I just say Ez kié? if the object is clear from context?

Yes. Ez kié? (Whose is this?) is very common when you’re pointing at or holding the item.

Why is it jegy and not jegyet here?

Jegy is in the nominative because it’s the subject of an equational sentence (This ticket = whose?). Jegyet is the accusative and is used for direct objects, e.g., Keresem a jegyet. (I’m looking for the ticket.)

How do I say “that” instead of “this”?

Swap ez for az:

Kié az a jegy? = Whose is that ticket?
If the noun starts with a vowel: Kié az az asztal? = Whose is that table?

How would I say it in the past or future?

Use the past/future forms of “to be”:

Past: Kié volt ez a jegy? = Whose was this ticket?
Future: Kié lesz ez a jegy? = Whose will this ticket be?

How do I pronounce Kié and jegy?

Kié: two syllables, stress on the first; pronounce like KEE-eh, with a long é.
jegy: one syllable; gy is a soft palatal sound (like the “dy” in British “during” when said carefully). Roughly “yedy,” but shorter and softer at the end.

Does jegy only mean “ticket”?

No. Jegy can also mean a mark/grade (school), a sign, or a symbol, depending on context. In everyday travel contexts, it’s a ticket. A season pass is typically bérlet.

Why is it kinek a jegye, not kinek a jegy?

In possessive constructions of the type “X’s Y,” Hungarian marks possession on the possessed noun. So you say kinek a jegye (literally whose the ticket-his/her). With a named possessor: János jegye = John’s ticket. With a pronoun: az én jegyem, az ő jegye.