Questions & Answers about Ma több vizet iszom.
Hungarian is a pro-drop language: the subject pronoun is usually omitted because the verb ending already shows the person/number.
In iszom, the -om ending indicates 1st person singular (I drink), so én (I) is optional and mainly used for emphasis/contrast: Én ma több vizet iszom. (I, as opposed to someone else, drink more water today.)
Ma means today. It’s often placed early in the sentence as a time adverb, but Hungarian word order is flexible.
Examples (same basic meaning, different emphasis):
- Ma több vizet iszom. (neutral; “today” sets the frame)
- Több vizet iszom ma. (slightly more focus on “more water”)
- Ma iszom több vizet. (less common; can sound marked, depending on context)
Vizet is the accusative form (direct object) of víz (water). Many verbs like inni (to drink) take a direct object, so you mark it with -t.
- víz = water (dictionary form / subject)
- vizet = water (as the thing being drunk)
Also note the spelling change: víz → viz- in some inflected forms (the long í shortens).
Több means more. In több vizet, it behaves like an adjective/quantifier meaning more (of) water.
Többet is több + -t and acts more like a standalone object meaning more (of it):
- Ma több vizet iszom. = Today I drink more water. (explicit: water)
- Ma többet iszom. = Today I drink more. (implied: more than usual, often more alcohol / more in general)
Is most often means also / too / as well / even. In this sentence it commonly adds a nuance like:
- “Today I drink more water too (in addition to other things).”
- “Today I drink even more water.” (depending on context/intonation)
Position matters: is usually attaches to (and “scopes over”) what comes immediately before it. So több vizet is suggests the “also/even” effect targets more water.
Both exist, but they differ by region/style and sometimes by verb paradigm preference.
- iszom is very common and standard for I drink.
- iszok also occurs and is widely understood; some speakers prefer it.
In learning materials you’ll often see iszom as the main form.
It’s present tense. Hungarian present tense can cover:
- habitual: I drink (in general)
- current/near-future context: I’m drinking / I’m going to drink (depending on situation)
With ma (today), it typically means something like “Today I’m drinking / I drink (during today)”.
It’s the indefinite conjugation. You use the definite conjugation when the object is definite/specific (like “the water,” “that water,” “it”).
Here the object is a non-specific quantity: more water, so indefinite is natural:
- Ma több vizet iszom. (indefinite) Compare:
- Megiszom a vizet. = I drink the water (definite, specific water)
Hungarian word order is strongly linked to information structure (focus/topic), not just grammar. The element right before the verb is often the focus (what’s most contrasted/new).
- Ma több vizet iszom. → commonly focuses on több vizet (“more water” is the key info) If you move things, you can shift emphasis:
- Ma vizet iszom. = Today I drink water (not something else)
- Ma több vizet iszom. = Today I drink more water (than usual/than before)
- Több vizet iszom ma. = It’s more water that I’m drinking today (slightly stronger on “more water”)
You can add a comparison with mint (than):
- Ma több vizet iszom, mint tegnap. = Today I drink more water than yesterday.
You can also make it more explicit with a full clause:
- Ma több vizet iszom, mint amennyit tegnap ittam. (more formal/precise)
Put nem before the verb (and adjust emphasis as needed):
- Ma nem iszom több vizet. = Today I’m not drinking more water. If you want to negate the “more” idea specifically:
- Ma nem több vizet iszom (hanem kevesebbet). = Today I’m not drinking more water (but less).
The dictionary (infinitive) is inni = to drink.
Present tense (indefinite) basics:
- (én) iszom = I drink
- (te) iszol = you drink
- (ő) iszik = he/she drinks
- (mi) iszunk = we drink
- (ti) isztok = you (pl) drink
- (ők) isznak = they drink