Learn Hardcore Hungarian: Tegnap levelet kaptam a barátomtól. - Yesterday I received a letter from my friend.

Hungarian is a pro‑drop language: the subject is encoded in the verb ending. kaptam already tells you “I received.” You add Én only for emphasis or contrast (Én kaptam… = It was I who received…).

Why does “levél” become “levelet”?

The direct object takes the accusative. The accusative suffix is historically -t, but many nouns insert a linking vowel for ease of pronunciation, chosen by vowel harmony. Here: levél + -t → levél-t → levelet (linking vowel e).

Why is there no article before “levelet”?

A bare singular object in Hungarian is typically indefinite/non-specific. levelet kaptam = I received (some) letter. If you say egy levelet, you stress the number “one.” If you say a levelet, you mean a specific, known letter.

Can I say “egy levelet kaptam…”? What’s the nuance?

Yes: Tegnap egy levelet kaptam a barátomtól. This highlights the quantity (one letter), often implying contrast (not two, not many).

Why is there a definite article “a” before “barátomtól”?

Possessed nouns used as full noun phrases normally take the definite article: a barátom = “my friend.” With a case: a barátomtól = “from my friend.” (Omitting the article is limited to special patterns, e.g., vocatives or certain fixed expressions.)

What does “-tól” mean, and when do I use “-tól” vs “-től”?

It means “from” (ablative). Choose -tól after back vowels (a, á, o, ó, u, ú); choose -től after front vowels (e, é, i, í, ö, ő, ü, ű). barát has back vowels, so -tól.

How is “barátomtól” built exactly?

barát (friend)
- -om (my) → barátom (my friend)
- -tól (from) → barátomtól (from my friend)

Note: without the possessive, “from a friend” is baráttól (barát + tól → the two t’s merge as tt). With the possessive, the suffix attaches to -m, so no double t: barátomtól.

Why is the word order “levelet kaptam” instead of “kaptam levelet”?

In neutral sentences, an indefinite object typically follows the verb: Kaptam levelet. When you put the object immediately before the verb, you focus it: Levelet kaptam ≈ “It was a letter that I received (not something else).” The given sentence focuses the object.

How can I emphasize different parts by changing the word order?

Focus on WHAT you got: Tegnap [levelet] kaptam a barátomtól.
Focus on FROM WHOM: Tegnap [a barátomtól] kaptam levelet.
Focus on WHEN: [Tegnap] kaptam levelet a barátomtól. Only one constituent can occupy the focus slot immediately before the verb.

Does “kaptam” show definite vs. indefinite object? Why not “kapom”?

Hungarian has definite vs. indefinite conjugation, but in the 1st person singular past, both look the same: kaptam (so the distinction is neutralized in form). In the present it shows: kapok levelet (indef.) vs kapom a levelet (def.).

Should I add the prefix “meg-” (megkaptam)? What’s the difference?

meg- often adds a sense of completion/result.

Megkaptam a levelet = I received the letter (we both know which; completed).
Kaptam levelet = I received a letter (non-specific; simple event).
With an indefinite object, plain kap is very common; megkap is more natural with a definite/specific object.

Can I use “vettem” for “got”?

No. vettem is from venni = to buy or to take. vettem egy levelet means “I bought a letter” (odd) or “I took a letter” (different meaning). For “receive/get,” use kapni → kaptam.

How would I say “I received letters (plural)”?

Tegnap leveleket kaptam a barátomtól.
Plural of levél is levelek; accusative plural is leveleket.

How do I replace “from my friend” with a pronoun?

Use the ablative pronoun: tőle = from him/her; tőlük = from them.
Example: Tegnap levelet kaptam tőle.

What if I mean “from my girlfriend” or “from my female friend”?

“from my girlfriend” or “from my female friend”: a barátnőmtől
“from my (male) friend”: a barátomtól
Context usually disambiguates friend vs romantic partner.

How do I negate this sentence?

Put nem before the verb (and keep any focus immediately before the verb):

Neutral: Tegnap nem kaptam levelet a barátomtól.
Focus on source: Tegnap [a barátomtól] nem kaptam levelet (hanem mástól).

Any pronunciation tips?

Primary stress is always on the first syllable of each word: TEG-nap LE-ve-let KAP-tam A BA-rá-tom-tól.
Long vowels: á, ó are held longer in barátomtól.
tegnap is pronounced with a clear g+n sequence.

Do I need any ending on “tegnap” for “yesterday”?

No. tegnap is an adverb; it stands on its own (no case ending needed).