Korábban indulunk el, hogy időben ott legyünk a találkozón.

Korábban means earlier.

It is the comparative form of korán (early), so:

• korán = early
• korábban = earlier

In this sentence, it means we leave earlier or we set off earlier than some expected or usual time.

A learner may notice that Hungarian often uses adverb comparatives this way without needing an explicit than phrase if the comparison is understood from context.

This is because elindul is a verb with a verbal prefix:

• indul = start, depart
• elindul = set off, leave

In Hungarian, verbal prefixes often separate from the verb in certain sentence patterns. In a neutral main clause, the focused element often comes before the verb, and the prefix moves after it.

So instead of:

• Elindulunk korábban

you get:

• Korábban indulunk el

Both are possible, but the version in your sentence gives natural emphasis to korábban.

The prefix el- often suggests movement away or the beginning of a completed action of departure.

So:

• indul can mean to start / to depart
• elindul more specifically means to set off / to leave

In many cases, Hungarian prefixes make the action feel more concrete or directional. Here, elindulunk sounds like we actually set off.

Hungarian often uses the present tense to talk about the future when the context already makes the future meaning clear.

So:

• Korábban indulunk el literally looks like We leave earlier
• but in context it naturally means We’ll leave earlier

English does this too sometimes, as in We’re leaving earlier tomorrow.

So this is normal Hungarian usage, not a mistake or a special tense.

Hogy means that or so that, depending on context.

In this sentence, it introduces a purpose clause:

• Korábban indulunk el = We leave earlier
• hogy időben ott legyünk = so that we may be there on time / so that we’re there in time

So here hogy is best understood as so that.

It is very common in Hungarian to express purpose this way:

• main action + hogy
  • subordinate clause

Legyünk is a form of lenni (to be) used in a subordinate clause of purpose after hogy.

Here, Hungarian uses a form often called the subjunctive or imperative-subjunctive:

• leszünk = we will be / we are
• legyünk = that we be / so that we be

After hogy, when you express a goal, intention, or desired result, Hungarian normally uses this form.

So:

• hogy ott legyünk = so that we are there / so that we may be there

This is one of the most important uses of the Hungarian subjunctive.

Legyünk comes from the irregular verb lenni (to be).

It breaks down like this:

• stem: legy-
• 1st person plural ending: -ünk

So:

• legyek = that I be
• legyél / légy = that you be
• legyen = that he/she/it be
• legyünk = that we be
• legyetek = that you all be
• legyenek = that they be

Because lenni is irregular, this form has to be learned separately.

Yes, időben literally relates to time, and in this sentence it means something like in time or on time, depending on context.

It comes from:

• idő = time
• időben = in time / on time / timely

The ending -ban/-ben usually means in, so literally it looks like in time.

In real usage:

• időben jönni = to arrive on time
• időben odaérni = to get there in time

Here it means they want to arrive early enough not to be late.

Ott means there, and it makes the destination/result explicit:

• ott legyünk = be there

Without ott, the sentence would still be grammatical in some contexts, but it would sound less specific. Since the sentence is about arriving at a meeting, ott clearly points to the destination.

English does the same thing:

• so that we’re there on time

So ott is very natural here.

A találkozón uses the ending -n/-on/-en/-ön, which here means at the meeting.

With events such as meetings, concerts, classes, and similar occasions, Hungarian often uses this case where English uses at:

• a találkozón = at the meeting
• az órán = in class / at the lesson
• a koncerten = at the concert

Why not the others?

• a találkozóban would mean in the meeting, which is not the normal way to express attendance at an event.
• a találkozóra means to the meeting, showing direction toward it, not being there.

Since the sentence is about already being present there on time, a találkozón is the right choice.

Hungarian usually does not need subject pronouns, because the verb ending already shows the subject.

Here:

• indulunk = we leave / we are leaving
• legyünk = that we be

The ending -unk / -ünk tells you the subject is we.

Hungarian only uses an explicit pronoun like mi (we) when it needs emphasis or contrast.

For example:

• Mi indulunk el korábban, nem ők.
  We’re leaving earlier, not them.

So in your sentence, leaving out mi is normal.

Hungarian word order is flexible and often reflects emphasis or information structure, not just fixed grammar patterns.

Putting korábban first highlights it:

• Korábban indulunk el... = We’re leaving earlier...

This sounds natural because the important new piece of information is earlier.

If you changed the word order, the sentence could still be grammatical, but the emphasis might change:

• Elindulunk korábban... = a bit more straightforward, with less strong focus on korábban
• Mi indulunk el korábban... = emphasizes we

So the sentence begins with korábban because that is the element being foregrounded.

Yes. Hungarian has several natural ways to express the same basic idea.

For example:

• Korábban indulunk el, hogy időben odaérjünk a találkozóra.
• Korábban indulunk, hogy időben ott legyünk a találkozón.

These are slightly different in wording:

• ott legyünk a találkozón = be there at the meeting
• odaérjünk a találkozóra = get there to the meeting / arrive at the meeting

Both are natural. The version in your sentence focuses on being there on time, not just the act of arrival.

It is most naturally understood with ott legyünk:

• hogy időben ott legyünk a találkozón
• so that we are there on time at the meeting

In other words, it tells you where they need to be on time.

Hungarian often places location phrases toward the end of the clause like this, and it sounds completely natural. The structure is not awkward to Hungarian speakers, even if an English learner might expect a different order.