Ha lázam van, az orvoshoz megyek.

If I have a fever, I go to the doctor.

Breakdown of Ha lázam van, az orvoshoz megyek.

• lenni: to be
• én: I
• menni: to go
• az: the
• ha: if
• -hoz/-hez/-höz: to
• -am: my
• láz: fever
• orvos: doctor

Questions & Answers about Ha lázam van, az orvoshoz megyek.

Why does Hungarian say lázam van (literally my fever is) instead of a verb meaning to have?

Hungarian often expresses having with a possessor + noun + van/volt structure (literally there is):

• láz = fever
• láz-am = my fever (the -am marks 1st person singular possession)
• van = is/exists

So lázam van = I have a fever (literally my fever exists). This pattern is very common with illnesses and physical states.

Why is it lázam and not lázom?

The possessed form depends on the noun’s shape and vowel harmony. láz takes the 1st person singular possessive as -am, giving lázam.
Many other nouns do use -om/-em/-öm (e.g., könyvem = my book), but láz specifically forms lázam.

Can I also say Ha lázas vagyok instead of Ha lázam van?

Yes, both are natural, with a slight difference in style/meaning:

• Ha lázam van = If I have a fever (focus on the fever as a symptom/measurement)
• Ha lázas vagyok = If I’m feverish / If I have a fever (focus on your condition as an adjective)

Both would work in this sentence.

Why is there no word for I in the sentence?

Hungarian usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person:

• megy-ek = I go
• van doesn’t show person here, but lázam already implies my, so I is clear from context.

You can add én (I) for emphasis, but it’s not required.

Why is it az orvoshoz and not a orvoshoz?

Hungarian has two forms of the:

• a before consonants
• az before vowels

Since orvos starts with o (a vowel), it’s az orvoshoz.

What does the ending -hoz mean in orvoshoz?

-hoz/ -hez/ -höz is the case ending meaning to (toward a person/place):

• orvos = doctor
• orvoshoz = to the doctor / to a doctor’s (office)

Which form you use depends on vowel harmony:

• back vowels → -hoz
• front vowels → -hez/-höz

orvos takes -hoz.

Could I omit the article and just say Ha lázam van, orvoshoz megyek?

Yes, that’s also possible. Omitting the article often makes it more general:

• az orvoshoz megyek = I go to the doctor (more specific, like the usual doctor / the doctor as a concept)
• orvoshoz megyek = I go to a doctor / I go to the doctor (more generic)

Both are acceptable; the version with az is very common.

Why is megyek in present tense if English often says I will go?

In Hungarian, the present tense often covers habitual actions and near-future/conditional outcomes too. In an if-clause context, megyek can mean:

• I go (habitually: whenever I have a fever)
• I will go (intended action if it happens)

Context does the work, so present tense is normal here.

What’s the difference between megyek and elmegyek in this sentence?

Both can work, but the nuance changes:

• megyek = I go (neutral, focuses on the action/movement)
• elmegyek = I go off / I’ll go (often feels a bit more decisive/completed, like you’re setting off)

For a general rule/habit, megyek is very natural.

Is the comma after Ha lázam van required?

Yes, typically. In Hungarian, a subordinate clause introduced by ha (if) is normally separated from the main clause with a comma:

• Ha lázam van, az orvoshoz megyek.

You can also reverse the order:

• Az orvoshoz megyek, ha lázam van.

The comma remains standard in both orders.