Hi listeners!

What was your favorite Hungarian phrasal verb?

Szia Szinisa!

Great question.🙂 I have looked up 2 lessons (which you might have encountered since then) that mention this grammar rule:

https://www.hungarianpod101.com/lesson/lower-intermediate-19-dont-let-the-hungarian-phone-companies-take-your-money

https://www.hungarianpod101.com/lesson/lower-intermediate-20-working-like-a-dog-on-a-hungarian-math-problem

The modal "can" can indeed be used as "-hat/-het, or as "tud" = "be able to". The latter form is often used if we speak about an ability or if something is possible/doable.

Some examples:

I can't reach her. = Nem tudom elérni. (e.g. Because she doesn't answer the phone.)

I can't drive. = Nem tudok vezetni. (e.g. Because I don't have the skill.)

Nem vezethetek = I'm not allowed to drive.

When "-hat/het" is used, it is often in the sense of "may/can". I hope this helps a bit - I know it is not necessarily one of the easiest parts but will get clearer by practice.😎

Kellemes hétvégét!

Erika

Team HungarianPod101.com

Hi, thank you for all your support so far.

I have a question that might not be directly connected with this lesson.I noticed that in Hungarian you use the modal verb "can" very differently. I mean it looks like you do not have word for "can" itself, but you insert that word into other words.

For example, if I want to say: Can I ask something?

It would be in Hungarian something like: KérdezHETek valamit?

Or like in previous lesson KöltHETed pénzt rám. You can spend the money on me.

Can you explain-confirm this with some examples or how to learn how to use it?

Thanks.