A műszak tízkor kezdődik.

A is the Hungarian definite article, meaning the.

So a műszak means the shift. In this sentence, it refers to a specific shift, not just shifts in general.

A few useful notes:

• a is used before words that start with a consonant
• az is used before words that start with a vowel

For example:

• a műszak = the shift
• az óra = the clock / the lesson / the hour depending on context

Without a, the sentence would usually sound less natural in ordinary speech.

Here műszak means shift, especially a work shift.

It can be used for things like:

• a morning shift
• a night shift
• a factory shift
• a scheduled work period

So in this sentence, A műszak tízkor kezdődik means that the work shift begins at ten.

Tízkor means at ten o’clock.

It is made of:

• tíz = ten
• -kor = a suffix meaning at when talking about clock times

So:

• egykor = at one
• hatkor = at six
• tízkor = at ten

This is how Hungarian usually expresses clock time: it adds -kor directly to the number or time expression.

Because Hungarian often uses suffixes where English uses separate words like prepositions.

English says:

• at ten

Hungarian says:

• tízkor

The meaning of at is built into the ending -kor. This is very common in Hungarian grammar.

Yes, absolutely.

Both are correct:

• tízkor = at ten
• tíz órakor = at ten o’clock

Tízkor is shorter and very common in everyday speech.

Tíz órakor is a little more explicit, but it means the same thing here.

Because kezdődik is the intransitive verb meaning to begin / to start for something that starts by itself.

In this sentence, the shift is the thing that begins, so Hungarian uses:

• kezdődik = begins / starts

Compare:

• A műszak tízkor kezdődik. = The shift starts at ten.
• Kezdem a műszakot. = I’m starting the shift.

So:

• kezd is often used when someone starts something
• kezdődik is used when something begins

This is a very common distinction in Hungarian.

The -ik is part of the verb form. In this case, kezdődik is the dictionary-style 3rd person singular form of the verb.

So kezdődik means:

• it starts
• it begins

Here, it refers to a műszak.

Many Hungarian verbs have forms ending in -ik, and learners often notice them because they look unusual compared with other verbs. In this sentence, it is simply the normal form you need.

Grammatically, it is present tense:

• kezdődik = starts / is starting

But just like in English, Hungarian often uses the present tense for scheduled future events.

So A műszak tízkor kezdődik is literally present tense, but in context it can mean:

• The shift starts at ten
• The shift will start at ten

This is completely normal.

Yes, Hungarian word order is flexible, and changing the order often changes the emphasis rather than the basic meaning.

The sentence:

• A műszak tízkor kezdődik.

is a neutral, natural way to say it.

You could also say:

• Tízkor kezdődik a műszak.

This puts more emphasis on tízkor — as if answering When does the shift start?

So both are possible, but the focus is slightly different.

Usually, in normal everyday Hungarian, A műszak tízkor kezdődik is the natural form.

If you leave out a, it may sound:

• incomplete
• headline-like
• less natural in ordinary conversation

Because you are talking about a specific shift, the definite article is normally expected.

The trickiest parts for English speakers are usually ű and ő.

• ű in műszak is a long front rounded vowel, somewhat like German ü, but held longer
• ő in kezdődik is a long front rounded vowel, somewhat like German ö, but held longer

A rough pronunciation guide:

• műszak ≈ mew-sock but with rounded lips on the first vowel
• kezdődik ≈ kez-dur-dik very roughly, though the middle vowel is not a normal English sound

Also:

• sz in Hungarian sounds like English s
• Hungarian s sounds like English sh

So műszak starts with mű-s..., not mű-sh...

Yes. When -kor is added to a time expression like this, it is written together as one word:

• ötkor = at five
• nyolckor = at eight
• tízkor = at ten

Hungarian commonly attaches these endings directly to the word instead of writing them separately.