Feltételes mód
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?
Feltételes mód
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!
Common Error Patterns
Using 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