Log inSign up

Ha probléma van, üzenetet küldök a banknak az internetbankban.

Ha probléma van, üzenetet küldök a banknak az internetbankban.
If there is a problem, I send a message to the bank in internet banking.
FromLesson 13inHardcore Hungarian

Questions & Answers about Ha probléma van, üzenetet küldök a banknak az internetbankban.

Why does the sentence start with Ha probléma van? What does that structure mean?
Ha means if. The chunk probléma van literally means there is a problem (more naturally: there’s a problem). So Ha probléma van, ... = If there’s a problem, .... Hungarian commonly uses van (there is/are) with a noun like this.
Why is there a comma after Ha probléma van?

In Hungarian, a subordinate clause introduced by ha is normally separated from the main clause with a comma:
Ha ... , (then) ...
So the comma is standard punctuation here.

Why is it probléma van and not van probléma?

Both can be grammatical, but they have different emphasis.

  • Ha probléma van is the neutral, common way: if there is a problem.
  • Ha van probléma can sound a bit more like if there is any problem / if it happens that there is a problem, putting more focus on the existence of a problem.
Can I omit van and just say Ha probléma, ...?
Usually no. Ha probléma, ... sounds incomplete or very informal/elliptical. Hungarian normally needs van in this kind of “there is” statement: probléma van.
Why is it üzenetet (accusative) and not üzenet?

Because üzenet (message) is the direct object of the verb küldök (I send). Direct objects typically take the accusative -t:
üzenet → üzenetet = a message (as the thing being sent).

Why is it küldök and not küldöm?

Hungarian has two verb conjugations:

  • indefinite (alanyi) when the object is indefinite/unspecified
  • definite (tárgyas) when the object is definite/specific

Here the object is üzenetet = a message / some message (not the message), so the verb is indefinite: küldök.

If you made the object definite, you’d typically use the definite conjugation:

  • az üzenetet küldöm = I’m sending the message (a specific one)
What does a banknak mean, and why is it -nak?

a banknak means to the bank. The ending -nak/-nek is the dative case, used for recipients/beneficiaries (like English to).

  • bank → banknak = to the bank
    The article a is the (before a consonant sound).
Why is it a banknak (dative) and not something like a bankhoz?

Because küld (send) takes a recipient: send something to someone → dative -nak/-nek.
-hoz/-hez/-höz means to/towards a place in a movement/approach sense (go to the bank = a bankhoz megyek), not “recipient of a message.”

What does az internetbankban mean, and what is -ban?

az internetbankban means in the online bank / in internet banking.
The ending -ban/-ben is the inessive case = in (inside something).

  • internetbank → internetbankban = in internet banking
    It’s a common way to say you do it within the online banking interface.
Why is it az internetbankban and not a internetbankban?

Hungarian has two forms of the:

  • a before a consonant sound
  • az before a vowel sound

internetbank starts with a vowel sound (i-), so it takes az: az internetbankban.

Do I have to say én (“I”) in this sentence?
No. Hungarian verb endings already show the subject. küldök clearly means I send, so én is usually omitted unless you want emphasis or contrast (like I as opposed to someone else).
Could I say Ha probléma lesz or Ha probléma lenne instead? What’s the difference?

Yes, but the meaning shifts:

  • Ha probléma van = If there is a problem (general/whenever it happens)
  • Ha probléma lesz = If there will be a problem (future-oriented, expectation)
  • Ha probléma lenne = If there were a problem / if there would be a problem (more hypothetical/conditional, often softer or more speculative)

More from this lesson

lányvajszendvicsA diák szendvicset kér a kávézóban.-ba/-bemiutánA lány vajat is tesz a szendvicsbe, miután hazaér.posta
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Hungarian grammar?”
Hungarian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Hungarian

Master Hungarian — from Ha probléma van, üzenetet küldök a banknak az internetbankban to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Hungarian freeBrowse the full course