Questions & Answers about Ez a film vicces.
Why is there no word for “is” in Ez a film vicces? Why don’t we say Ez a film van vicces?
In Hungarian, the verb lenni (to be) is usually left out in the present tense, 3rd person (he/she/it, they) when it simply links a subject and a descriptive word (like an adjective or a noun).
So:
- Ez a film vicces. = This film is funny.
(literally: This the film funny.)
You would only use van in similar sentences in special cases (e.g. to emphasize existence or location):
- A film vicces. – The film is funny. (normal statement, no van)
- A film vicces van. – Very unusual; would sound wrong/unnatural in standard Hungarian.
But in other tenses you must use the verb:
- Ez a film vicces volt. – This film was funny.
- Ez a film vicces lesz. – This film will be funny.
So: in the present, 3rd person, simple descriptive sentences drop the “is” in Hungarian.
What does ez a mean? Why do we need both words: ez and a?