Questions & Answers about Azt szeretném kérdezni, tud-e Ön fogkrémet hozni, mert a fogkefe mellett már nincs.
Why does the sentence begin with Azt in Azt szeretném kérdezni?
In this expression, azt is a forward-pointing object: it refers to the question that comes right after it.
So Azt szeretném kérdezni literally means something like I would like to ask that..., where that points ahead to the content of the question.
This is very common in Hungarian:
- Azt mondta, hogy... = He/She said that...
- Azt kérdezem, hogy... = I am asking whether/about...
In English, we usually do not need this kind of object word, but Hungarian often does.
Why is it szeretném kérdezni and not just kérdezem?
Szeretném kérdezni is a polite, softened way to speak. It literally means I would like to ask.
If you said simply kérdezem, that would mean I ask / I am asking, which sounds more direct and less polite in this context.
Hungarian often uses:
- szeretnék / szeretném = I would like to...
- sometimes also the conditional for politeness
So this phrase is not just about desire; it functions as a polite formula.
Why is it szeretném, with -m at the end?
The -m shows first person singular definite conjugation: I ... it.
The verb is szeret = to like / want, and here it is conjugated as szeretném because it has a definite object: azt.
Compare:
- Szeretnék kérdezni. = I would like to ask.
- Azt szeretném kérdezni... = That is what I would like to ask...
Because azt is present, Hungarian uses the definite form szeretném.
Why is the question part written as tud-e Ön?
The -e is a question particle used especially in embedded yes/no questions or in a more formal style.
So:
- tud Ön hozni... = can you bring...
- tud-e Ön hozni... = whether you can bring... / can you bring... in a more formal, explicit question form
It is attached directly to the verb:
- tud-e
- van-e
- jön-e
This is very common in careful, formal Hungarian.
Why is Ön after tud-e instead of before it?
In Hungarian, when -e is used, it normally attaches to the verb, and the verb tends to come before the subject.
So:
- Tud Ön...?
- Tud-e Ön...?
This is especially natural in formal style.
If you put Ön first, it would usually add emphasis:
- Ön tud-e... ? = Is it you who can...? / Can you, specifically...?
So the order in the sentence is the neutral formal order.
What is special about Ön here?
Ön is the formal you in Hungarian.
It is used:
- with strangers
- in polite service situations
- in formal writing
- when showing respect
A native English speaker may notice that Hungarian distinguishes between informal and formal you:
- te = informal singular you
- Ön = formal singular you
Also, Ön is often capitalized in polite writing, though this depends on style.
Why is it fogkrémet and not fogkrém?
Because fogkrémet is in the accusative case, marked by -t. It is the direct object of hozni (to bring).
So:
- fogkrém = toothpaste
- fogkrémet = toothpaste as the object, meaning some toothpaste / toothpaste (as something being brought)
Hungarian marks direct objects much more clearly than English does.
Why is there no article before fogkrémet? Why not a fogkrémet?
Without an article, fogkrémet sounds indefinite: some toothpaste / toothpaste.
That fits the meaning well: the speaker is asking for toothpaste in general, not one specific known tube.
Compare:
- fogkrémet hozni = bring toothpaste
- a fogkrémet hozni = bring the toothpaste (a specific toothpaste already known to both people)
So the article is omitted because the object is indefinite.
Why is the second part just már nincs? What is missing?
Hungarian often leaves out a noun if it is obvious from context.
Here, nincs means there isn't any / it isn't there, and the missing idea is something like:
- fogkrém = toothpaste
- or belőle = any of it
So mert a fogkefe mellett már nincs naturally means:
- because there isn't any there anymore next to the toothbrush
English usually needs something explicit like there isn’t any, but Hungarian can leave it understood.
What does már mean here?
Már often means already, but in negative sentences it can often correspond to English any more / any longer.
So:
- már nincs = is no longer there / there isn’t any more
This is a very common pattern:
- Már nem alszik. = He/She is no longer sleeping.
- Már nincs kenyér. = There is no more bread.
So in this sentence, már gives the idea that toothpaste used to be there, but now it is gone.
What does mellett mean exactly in a fogkefe mellett?
Mellett means next to / beside.
It comes from the postposition mellett, which works after a noun:
- az asztal mellett = next to the table
- a fogkefe mellett = next to the toothbrush
English uses prepositions before the noun; Hungarian often uses postpositions, which come after the noun instead.
Also notice the noun takes an article here:
- a fogkefe mellett = next to the toothbrush
Why is it hozni and not some other verb like vinni?
Hungarian distinguishes between bringing and taking:
- hozni = to bring (toward the speaker or target place)
- vinni = to take / carry away (away from the speaker or reference point)
Here the speaker wants the other person to bring toothpaste to where the speaker is or to the relevant place, so hozni is the natural choice.
Is tud really the best equivalent of English can here?
Yes. Hungarian often uses tud for can / be able to, especially when asking whether someone is able to do something.
- Tud jönni? = Can you come?
- Tud segíteni? = Can you help?
Literally, tud can also mean know, but with an infinitive it usually means be able to:
- tud úszni = can swim
- tud hozni = can bring
So in this sentence, tud-e Ön fogkrémet hozni is a normal way to ask whether someone is able/willing to bring toothpaste.
How formal does this whole sentence sound?
It sounds quite formal and polite.
The formal tone comes from several things together:
- Azt szeretném kérdezni... = polite introduction
- tud-e = formal question particle usage
- Ön = formal you
In everyday casual speech with a friend, a Hungarian speaker would probably say something much simpler, for example with informal te and without such a long introduction.
So this sentence is the kind of thing you might see in polite conversation, customer communication, or formal writing.
Could the sentence be said in a shorter or more natural everyday way?
Yes. Hungarian often allows much shorter versions when the situation is clear.
For example, a more direct version might simply ask for the toothpaste without the long polite lead-in.
The original sentence is not wrong at all; it is just more formal and careful than what people often say in relaxed everyday conversation.
This is useful for learners to know: Hungarian can sound very different depending on how polite, formal, or indirect the speaker wants to be.
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