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Questions & Answers about Ebéd után vizet iszom.
Why is it vizet and not víz?
Because the direct object takes the accusative suffix -t. Many nouns add a linking vowel and often shorten a long vowel in the stem when you add -t, so víz becomes viz-et → vizet. This shortening is regular for some words. Other examples:
- híd → hidat
- tűz → tüzet Here it means “some water.”
Why is there no article before ebéd or vizet?
- Ebéd után: No article because we’re talking about lunch in general (as a time of day). If you mean a specific lunch, use an article: az ebéd után.
- vizet: No article because it’s an indefinite/mass object (“water” in general). If you mean specific water, say a vizet (“the water”). Note: a is used before consonants, az before vowels, so it’s az ebéd, but a vizet.
Can I change the word order? Is Ebéd után iszom vizet also correct?
Yes. Both are correct, but word order affects emphasis.
- Ebéd után vizet iszom puts the object (vizet) right before the verb, which tends to highlight it (“it’s water that I drink”).
- Ebéd után iszom vizet is more neutral/informative.
- Vizet iszom ebéd után is also grammatical and strongly highlights “water,” leaving the time phrase at the end.
Do I need to say the pronoun Én?
No. Hungarian drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person. Iszom already means “I drink.” Use Én only for emphasis or contrast: Én ebéd után vizet iszom (nem kávét).
Why is the verb iszom and not iszik?
Iszik is the dictionary form (“to drink”). Present tense, 1st person singular is iszom (also iszok in colloquial speech). Some key forms:
- 1sg: iszom (colloquial: iszok)
- 2sg: iszol
- 3sg: iszik
- 1pl: iszunk
- 2pl: isztok
- 3pl: isznak
Is iszok wrong?
It’s common and natural in speech. In careful/standard writing, prefer iszom. Both are widely understood.
Why is után after ebéd? In English we say “after lunch.”
Because után is a postposition. In Hungarian, many relations that English expresses with prepositions come after the noun: ebéd után (“after lunch”), óra után (“after the class”). You cannot say után ebéd.
How would I say “after my lunch”?
Attach a possessive suffix to the noun: Ebédem után vizet iszom (“After my lunch I drink water”). Other persons: ebéded után (after your lunch), ebédje után (after his/her lunch).
How do I pronounce the tricky bits?
- sz is pronounced like English s; s (not in this sentence) is like English sh.
- Stress is always on the first syllable: E-béd után vi-zet i-szom.
- Long vowels: é, ú, á are long here. In víz, the í is long, but in vizet it shortens.
Does this sentence mean a habit or a single event?
By itself it usually sounds habitual/generic (“I drink water after lunch”). To emphasize habit, use szoktam + infinitive: Ebéd után vizet szoktam inni (“I usually/typically drink water after lunch”).
How do I say it about the future?
Use the present with a future time word, or fog + infinitive:
- Holnap ebéd után vizet iszom.
- Holnap ebéd után vizet fogok inni.
How do I negate it?
Place nem before the verb; the indefinite object typically follows the verb:
- Ebéd után nem iszom vizet.
How do I say “I also drink water after lunch”?
Use the particle is right after the word you want to mean “also/too”:
- Ebéd után vizet is iszom. (“I also drink water” — in addition to something else.)
- Ebéd után is iszom vizet. (“I also drink after lunch” — in addition to other times.)
What’s the difference between ebéd után and ebédkor?
- Ebéd után = after lunch (later than the end of lunch).
- Ebédkor = at lunchtime/during lunch.
How do I say “I drink a glass of water after lunch”?
Use a measure phrase + the accusative on what’s measured:
- Ebéd után egy pohár vizet iszom. To imply finishing it, add perfective meg-: Ebéd után megiszom egy pohár vizet.
How would I say “I drink the water after lunch”?
Make the object definite with an article. With this particular verb, the 1sg form looks the same:
- Ebéd után a vizet iszom. Note: With many other verbs, definite objects make the 1sg verb end in -om/-em instead of -ok/-ek (e.g., olvasok egy könyvet vs olvasom a könyvet). For iszik, 1sg is iszom in both cases.