Dative case: -nak/-nek
Dative -nak/-nek for indirect objects and X has Y construction
Can use -nak/-nek for indirect objects and possession
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Adok egy almát Péternek.
I give an apple to Péter.
Annának van egy macskája.
Anna has a cat.
Neked küldöm az üzenetet.
I'm sending the message to you.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
-nak/-nek = dative. Used for indirect objects (give to X) and possession (X has Y = X-nak van Y).
Omitting -nak/-nek on recipients. Using a conjugated 'have' verb instead of X-nak van.
Common Error Patterns
Omitting -nak/-nek for indirect objects
The recipient of an action always needs -nak/-nek: 'Adok Péter' is wrong — 'Adok Péternek'.
Translating 'X has Y' as conjugated verb instead of X-nak van
Hungarian has no 'have' verb. Use: Annának van egy kutyája = Anna has a dog.
Adok egy almát Péternek.
I give an apple to Péter.
Péter + -nek = Péternek. Front vowel (é) → -nek. Dative = indirect object.
Annának van egy macskája.
Anna has a cat.
'Having' in Hungarian: X-nak/-nek + van + possessed noun. No verb 'to have' conjugated.
Neked küldöm az üzenetet.
I'm sending the message to you.
neked = to you (dative of te). Pronoun dative forms: nekem/neked/neki/nekünk/nektek/nekik.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises