Bedeutung
Doing what one promised to do.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Hungarian culture, being called 'szavatartó' is one of the highest character praises. It implies you are not 'szélkakas' (a weathercock), someone who changes their mind with the wind. In village life, a man's word was traditionally considered more binding than a written contract. Handshakes (kézfogás) are still seen as sacred seals of a promise. While modern business uses contracts, building personal trust ('bizalom') is essential. If you don't 'állja a szavát' in early meetings, you likely won't get a second chance. The concept of 'nemesi becsületszó' (noble word of honor) meant that a nobleman would rather die than break a promise. This historical weight still lingers in the idiom.
Definite Conjugation
Remember that 'szavát' is a specific object, so you must use the -ja/-juk/-ják endings on the verb.
Don't use with 'ígéret'
While 'állja az ígéretét' is understandable, it's much more natural to say 'megtartja az ígéretét'.
Bedeutung
Doing what one promised to do.
Definite Conjugation
Remember that 'szavát' is a specific object, so you must use the -ja/-juk/-ják endings on the verb.
Don't use with 'ígéret'
While 'állja az ígéretét' is understandable, it's much more natural to say 'megtartja az ígéretét'.
The Power of a Handshake
In Hungary, saying 'állom a szavam' while shaking hands is a very strong commitment.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'áll' and the possessive 'szó'.
Én mindig ______ a ______.
For the first person 'Én', the verb is 'állom' (definite) and the noun is 'szavam' (my word).
Which sentence is correct?
A: Ő nem áll a szavát. B: Ő nem állja a szavát. C: Ő nem állja a szava.
B is correct because it uses the definite conjugation 'állja' and the accusative 'szavát'.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend promised to call you at 5 PM and they actually did.
This is the perfect situation to describe someone keeping their promise.
Complete the dialogue.
- Meg fogod csinálni a házit? - Igen, én ______ a ______.
The speaker is promising to do their homework and confirming their reliability.
Match the Hungarian phrase with its English equivalent.
1. Állom a szavam. 2. Állod a szavad. 3. Állja a szavát.
Matching the person markers (-m, -d, -ja) to the English pronouns.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Állja vs. Tartja
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenÉn mindig ______ a ______.
For the first person 'Én', the verb is 'állom' (definite) and the noun is 'szavam' (my word).
A: Ő nem áll a szavát. B: Ő nem állja a szavát. C: Ő nem állja a szava.
B is correct because it uses the definite conjugation 'állja' and the accusative 'szavát'.
Situation: Your friend promised to call you at 5 PM and they actually did.
This is the perfect situation to describe someone keeping their promise.
- Meg fogod csinálni a házit? - Igen, én ______ a ______.
The speaker is promising to do their homework and confirming their reliability.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Matching the person markers (-m, -d, -ja) to the English pronouns.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, for secrets we use 'titkot tart' (holds a secret). 'Állja a szavát' is only for promises.
It can be slightly confrontational, as if you are doubting them. Use it carefully with friends.
Állta a szavát (He kept his word).
Yes, they are interchangeable, but 'állja' sounds a bit more formal and traditional.
Yes, 'A cég állja a szavát' is very common in business reviews.
Nem állja a szavát, or more formally, 'megszegi a szavát'.
No, it is gender-neutral. It applies to anyone.
You can say 'Szavatartó ember vagyok.'
Not specifically, but it's used in all levels of speech. Slang might use 'nem kamuzik'.
Because it's 'his/her word' (possessive). 'Szót' would just be 'a word'.
Yes: 'Állni fogja a szavát.'
Extremely. It's a key theme in Hungarian folk tales and classic novels.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Tartja a szavát
synonymTo keep one's word.
Szaván fog valakit
builds onTo take someone at their word.
Ígéret szép szó
similarA promise is a beautiful word (if kept).
Szószegő
contrastWord-breaker.
Állja a sarat
similarTo hold one's own / to stand the mud.
