Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Szeretnék egy kávét kérni.
I would like to order a coffee.
Mennél velem a moziba?
Would you go with me to the cinema?
Ha lenne időm, olvasnék.
If I had time, I would read.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The conditional mood uses -nék/-nék/-na/-ne/-nánk/-nénk/-nátok/-nétek/-nának/-nének endings.
Common pattern: Szeretnék (I would like), Kérnék (I would ask for). Very common for polite requests!
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesUsing wrong vowel harmony variant of conditional suffix (e.g., -nék instead of -nák for back-vowel verbs).
Using present indicative where conditional mood is required for polite requests or hypotheticals.
Szeretnék egy kávét kérni.
I would like to order a coffee.
'Szeretnék' = 'szeretni' + conditional suffix -nék (1st sg.). Used for polite requests.
Mennél velem a moziba?
Would you go with me to the cinema?
'Mennél' = 'menni' + conditional -nél (2nd sg.). Question intonation makes it a request.
Ha lenne időm, olvasnék.
If I had time, I would read.
Conditional used in both clauses of a hypothetical: 'lenne' (would be) + 'olvasnék' (I would read).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises