Accusative case: -t suffix
Accusative -t marker; linking vowels by vowel harmony
Can mark direct objects with -t using correct linking vowel
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Olvasom a könyvet.
I read the book.
Látok egy házat az utcán.
I see a house on the street.
Eszem az almát.
I eat the apple.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The direct object marker is -t. After consonants add linking vowel: back → -at/-ot, front → -et/-öt. After vowels just -t.
Learners omit -t or use wrong linking vowel. Every direct object must have -t suffix.
Common Error Patterns
Omitting the -t marker on direct objects
Every direct object needs -t: 'látom a ház' is wrong — must be 'látom a házat'.
Using wrong linking vowel before -t
Back vowel words: -at/-ot/-et. Front: -et. Rounded front: -öt. After vowel: just -t.
Olvasom a könyvet.
I read the book.
könyv + -et = könyvet. Front vowel (ö) → linking vowel -e-.
Látok egy házat az utcán.
I see a house on the street.
ház + linking vowel -a- + -t = házat. Back vowel word → -at.
Eszem az almát.
I eat the apple.
alma ends in vowel → just add -t: almát. The á is long because final -a lengthens before suffix.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises