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Questions & Answers about Én szeretek beszélni a barátommal.
Do I need the pronoun Én, or can I drop it?
You can drop it. Hungarian verbs show the subject in their endings, so Szeretek beszélni a barátommal is perfectly normal. Keeping Én adds emphasis: “I (as opposed to others) like to talk with my friend.”
Why is it szeretek and not szeretem?
With an infinitive (like beszélni “to talk”), Hungarian uses the indefinite conjugation: szeretek (1st person singular, indefinite). Szeretem is the definite form and is used when there’s a specific, definite object, e.g. Szeretem a barátomat (“I love my friend”).
What does the -ni in beszélni mean?
-ni forms the infinitive (“to …”). The verb is beszél (“speak/talk”); beszélni = “to speak/talk.”
Where is the word “with” in the sentence?
Hungarian uses the suffix -val/-vel for “with,” attached to the noun. Here: barátom (“my friend”) + -val/vel → assimilation gives barátommal (“with my friend”).
Why is it barátommal with a double m?
Because of assimilation. When -val/-vel follows a word ending in a consonant, the v assimilates to the preceding consonant and that consonant doubles:
- barátom + -val → barátommal
- kéz + -vel → kézzel
If the word ends in a vowel, there’s no doubling: fiú + -val → fiúval.
Why is there an article a before a possessed noun (a barátommal)?
In Hungarian, possessed nouns typically take the definite article a/az. So we say a barátommal (“with my friend”). Without the article sounds off in this context. If you mean “with a friend of mine (one of them),” you use egy: egy barátommal.
Is the word order fixed? Can I move parts around?
Hungarian word order is flexible and governed by emphasis (focus).
- Neutral, common: Szeretek beszélni a barátommal.
- Also neutral/natural: Szeretek a barátommal beszélni.
- Focus on “with my friend”: A barátommal szeretek beszélni (“It’s with my friend that I like to talk”).
Including Én focuses the subject: Én szeretek…
How do I negate this sentence?
Put nem before the finite verb: Nem szeretek beszélni a barátommal.
Don’t say Szeretek nem beszélni… unless you literally mean “I like not to talk …,” which is a different meaning.
What’s the difference between Szeretek beszélni a barátommal and Szeretem a barátomat?
- Szeretek beszélni a barátommal = “I like to talk with my friend.” (liking an activity)
- Szeretem a barátomat = “I love/like my friend.” (liking a person; note the accusative -t: barátomat)
Is barátom gendered? What if my friend is female?
barát is typically “male friend.” For a female friend (or “girlfriend”), use barátnő.
So: barátnőmmel = “with my female friend/girlfriend.”
Ambiguity exists: barátom can also mean “my boyfriend” contextually.
How would I say “with my friends” (plural)?
a barátaimmal. Formation:
- barát (friend)
- plural possessed “my friends”: barátaim
- -val/vel with assimilation: barátaimmal
Full sentence: Szeretek beszélni a barátaimmal.
Can I replace a barátommal with a pronoun like “with him/her”?
Yes: vele = “with him/her.”
Szeretek vele beszélni.
Remember Hungarian has one third-person pronoun (ő/őt/vele) for both genders.
Is beszélni the best verb here, or is beszélgetni better?
Both are correct:
- beszélni = to speak/talk (neutral)
- beszélgetni = to chat, have a conversation (more reciprocal/casual)
Many speakers would naturally say: Szeretek beszélgetni a barátommal.
When do I use a vs az?
Use a before a consonant sound and az before a vowel sound:
- a barátommal (b = consonant)
- az ismerősömmel (i = vowel)
Could I say Szeretem beszélni a barátommal?
No. With an infinitive complement (beszélni), use the indefinite conjugation: szeretek. Szeretem beszélni is ungrammatical.
How would I say “I don’t like talking to my friend about politics”?
Nem szeretek a barátommal a politikáról beszélni.
- “with” = -val/vel → a barátommal
- “about” = -ról/-ről → a politikáról
Where does stress fall in this sentence?
Hungarian stress is always on the first syllable of each word: ÉN SZEretek BEszélni A BArátommal.
