Breakdown of A rozsdás láncot és a törött pedált javíttatom.
Questions & Answers about A rozsdás láncot és a törött pedált javíttatom.
What does javíttatom mean exactly?
It is the causative form of javít (to repair).
So javíttatom means something like:
- I am having it repaired
- I’m getting it repaired
- I make someone repair it
In everyday use, it often implies that someone else does the actual repair.
How is javíttatom built up?
It can be broken down like this:
- javít = repair
- -tat / -tet = causative suffix (have/make someone do)
- -om = I with a definite object
So:
javít → javíttat → javíttatom
The form means I have ... repaired.
Why is there a double tt in javíttatom?
Because the base verb javít already ends in t, and the causative suffix also begins with t.
So when they come together, you get:
- javít
- -tat → javíttat
That double tt is normal Hungarian spelling here.
Why does the verb end in -om?
Because Hungarian has definite and indefinite verb conjugation.
Here the objects are definite:
- a rozsdás láncot = the rusty chain
- a törött pedált = the broken pedal
Since the speaker is acting on definite objects, Hungarian uses the definite conjugation, and in 1st person singular that gives -om:
- javíttatom = I have it/them repaired
Why are láncot and pedált in those forms?
They are both direct objects, so they take the accusative ending -t.
- lánc → láncot
- pedál → pedált
In Hungarian, direct objects are usually marked this way.
Why is it láncot but pedált? Why does one have an extra vowel?
Hungarian often adds a linking vowel before the accusative -t, but not always.
So:
- lánc becomes láncot
- pedál becomes pedált
Which pattern a noun follows depends on its word shape and Hungarian sound patterns. Unfortunately, this is something learners often just get used to noun by noun.
Why don’t rozsdás and törött also take the accusative ending?
Because in Hungarian, when an adjective directly modifies a noun, the case ending usually appears only on the noun, not on the adjective.
So:
- rozsdás láncot
- törött pedált
not rozsdásat láncot or töröttet pedált
But if the adjective stands by itself, then it can take case:
- a töröttet = the broken one (accusative)
Why is a repeated before both nouns?
Because these are two coordinated definite noun phrases:
- a rozsdás láncot
- a törött pedált
Repeating the article is the normal and clear way to say this, especially when each noun has its own adjective.
Where is the word for I?
It is not said explicitly, because Hungarian often drops subject pronouns when the verb ending already shows who the subject is.
Here -om tells you the subject is I.
So the full version could be:
- Én a rozsdás láncot és a törött pedált javíttatom.
But én is usually unnecessary unless you want emphasis.
Why is the verb singular if two things are being repaired?
Because Hungarian verbs agree with the subject, not with the object.
The subject here is I, so the verb is 1st person singular.
It does not matter that there are two objects:
- the rusty chain
- the broken pedal
The verb still stays singular because I am the one doing the causing.
Why is the word order object + verb instead of subject + verb + object?
Because Hungarian word order is much more flexible than English word order.
It is based largely on topic and focus, not on a strict subject-verb-object rule.
So putting the object phrase before the verb is very natural:
- A rozsdás láncot és a törött pedált javíttatom.
The subject is omitted because it is already clear from the verb.
What is the difference between javítom and javíttatom?
They are related, but not the same:
- javítom = I repair it / I am repairing it
- javíttatom = I have it repaired / I am getting it repaired
So javíttatom adds the idea that the speaker is causing the repair, not necessarily doing the work personally.
What kind of form is törött?
Törött means broken and functions here as an adjective.
It comes from the verb tör (to break), but in this sentence you can think of it simply as a normal describing word:
- törött pedál = broken pedal
It behaves like other adjectives in front of a noun.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning HungarianMaster Hungarian — from A rozsdás láncot és a törött pedált javíttatom to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions