When you're learning Hungarian, you'll find words like alatt really useful for describing where things are. It means 'under' or 'below'. Think of it as a basic directional word.
You can use alatt to say something is physically beneath another object. It's a simple, everyday word that helps you build fundamental sentences.
Alright, let's talk about alatt. You've learned it means 'under,' and that's a good start. But like many prepositions (or postpositions, as they often are in Hungarian), it can get a bit tricky. Here are some common pitfalls English speakers fall into, and how to avoid them.
§ 1. Using "alatt" for 'during' or 'while' (time expressions)
This is a big one. In English, we use 'under' in time expressions like 'under the circumstances' or 'under his watch.' Hungarian alatt is usually for physical 'under' or sometimes 'below a certain standard.' When you mean 'during' or 'while' in a temporal sense, you need different words.
- Wrong
- A találkozó alatt beszéltünk. (Literally: We spoke under the meeting.)
- Right
- A találkozó közben beszéltünk. (We spoke during the meeting.)
§ 2. Confusing "alatt" with "alá" and "alól" (direction vs. location)
This is a classic Hungarian grammar point for all locational postpositions. Hungarian differentiates between being under something (static location), going under something (movement towards a place under), and coming from under something (movement away from a place under).
- alatt: Static location. You are already under something.
- alá: Movement to under something. Think 'going underneath.'
- alól: Movement from under something. Think 'coming out from under.'
- Example of "alatt" (static)
- A macska az asztal alatt alszik. (The cat is sleeping under the table.)
A macska az asztal alatt alszik. (The cat sleeps under the table.)
- Example of "alá" (movement towards)
- A macska bemegy az asztal alá. (The cat goes under the table.)
A macska bemegy az asztal alá. (The cat goes under the table.)
- Example of "alól" (movement from)
- A macska kijön az asztal alól. (The cat comes out from under the table.)
A macska kijön az asztal alól. (The cat comes out from under the table.)
§ 3. Using "alatt" for 'below' in terms of quantity/level
While alatt can sometimes mean 'below' in a figurative sense, especially with numbers (e.g., 'under 18'), it's not always the most natural choice. For 'below average' or 'below a certain standard,' other constructions might be better.
- Common use for numbers
- 18 év alatt. (Under 18 years old.)
18 év alatt. (Under 18 years old.)
However, if you want to say 'below average,' it's usually expressed differently:
- Instead of "átlag alatt" (literally: under average)
- Átlag alatti (adj. for 'below average') or átlagosnál rosszabb (worse than average).
The key takeaway here is that while alatt is your go-to for physical 'under,' be careful not to over-apply it where English uses 'under' metaphorically or temporally. Always think about the specific context: is it a physical location, a direction, or a time period? Keep practicing, and these distinctions will become second nature.
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다음에 무엇을 배울까
다음에 배울 것
수준별 예문
Az asztal alatt van a macska.
The cat is under the table.
A híd alatt folyik a folyó.
The river flows under the bridge.
A takaró alatt alszom.
I sleep under the blanket.
A fa alatt ülünk.
We are sitting under the tree.
A szekrény alatt sok por van.
There is a lot of dust under the cupboard.
A cipőm a szék alatt van.
My shoe is under the chair.
A hó alatt a fű zöld marad.
Under the snow, the grass stays green.
A ház alatt pince van.
There is a cellar under the house.
A macska az asztal alatt alszik.
The cat sleeps under the table.
Simple present tense.
Hosszú éveken át élt a család a szegénységi küszöb alatt.
For many years, the family lived below the poverty line.
Figurative use of 'alatt'.
A projekt határidő alatt készült el, mindenki meglepetésére.
The project was completed under the deadline, to everyone's surprise.
Meaning 'before the deadline' or 'within the deadline'.
Az éjszaka leple alatt érkezett meg a küldöttség.
The delegation arrived under the cover of night.
Idiomatic expression.
A parancs alatt álló katonák fegyelmezetten vártak.
The soldiers under command waited disciplined.
Meaning 'under the command of'.
Az elmúlt hetekben a hőmérséklet a fagypont alatt volt.
In the past weeks, the temperature was below freezing point.
Referring to temperature.
A házasságkötés pillanatától kezdve a férj és feleség egy fedél alatt élt.
From the moment of marriage, the husband and wife lived under one roof.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'in the same household'.
A könyv lapjai között rejtőzött egy régi fénykép, a borító alatt.
Hidden between the pages of the book, under the cover, was an old photograph.
Refers to physical location, 'under the cover' of the book.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
Az egér az asztal alatt van.
The mouse is under the table.
Aludt a fa alatt.
He/She slept under the tree.
A macska elbújt az ágy alatt.
The cat hid under the bed.
A könyv a párna alatt van.
The book is under the pillow.
Ne nézz az ágy alá!
Don't look under the bed!
A kulcs a szőnyeg alatt van.
The key is under the rug.
A ház a hegy alatt áll.
The house stands under the mountain.
Az autó a híd alatt parkol.
The car is parked under the bridge.
A labda a szék alatt gurult.
The ball rolled under the chair.
A kutya a takaró alatt alszik.
The dog is sleeping under the blanket.
셀프 테스트 30 질문
Choose the correct Hungarian word for 'under':
Alatt means 'under' or 'below' in Hungarian. Felett means 'above', mellett means 'next to', and előtt means 'in front of'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'alatt'?
This sentence correctly uses 'alatt' to indicate that the book is in the position 'under' the table.
What is the English translation of 'A macska az ágy alatt alszik.'?
Alatt means 'under'. Therefore, 'az ágy alatt' means 'under the bed'.
'Alatt' means 'above'.
'Alatt' means 'under' or 'below', not 'above'.
You can say 'A labda a szék alatt van.' to mean 'The ball is under the chair.'
This sentence correctly uses 'alatt' to express 'under'.
If something is 'alatt', it is always visible.
Being 'under' something doesn't necessarily mean it's visible. It just indicates its position.
A kutya a fa ___ fut.
The dog runs under the tree. 'Alatt' means under.
Keresem a szemüvegem, azt hiszem, az újság ___ van.
I'm looking for my glasses, I think they are under the newspaper. 'Alatt' means under.
A gyerekek a takaró ___ játszanak.
The children are playing under the blanket. 'Alatt' means under.
Tedd a lámpát az asztal ___!
Put the lamp under the table! 'Alatt' means under.
A levél a párna ___ volt.
The letter was under the pillow. 'Alatt' means under.
A cipőm az ágy ___ van.
My shoe is under the bed. 'Alatt' means under.
Imagine you're describing your messy desk. Write three sentences about what is under different items on your desk. Use 'alatt' at least twice.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Az asztalon sok minden van. A könyvek alatt egy toll van. A papírok alatt egy pohár van.
You are giving directions to a friend. Describe where a hidden key is in your house, using 'alatt' to indicate its location under something. Write two sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A kulcs a szék alatt van. A párna alatt keresd.
Describe a common household situation where something might be 'alatt'. Write two sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A macska gyakran alszik az asztal alatt. A kutya a szék alatt keresi a játékát.
Hol ül a kislány?
Read this passage:
A gyerekek játszanak a kertben. Az egyik labda a fa alatt van. A másik labda a bokor alatt van. A kislány a fa alatt ül.
Hol ül a kislány?
The passage states 'A kislány a fa alatt ül.', meaning 'The little girl is sitting under the tree.'
The passage states 'A kislány a fa alatt ül.', meaning 'The little girl is sitting under the tree.'
Ki fekszik a szék alatt?
Read this passage:
Késő van, és hideg van. A férfi a takaró alatt alszik. A macska a szék alatt fekszik. Mindenki alszik.
Ki fekszik a szék alatt?
The passage says 'A macska a szék alatt fekszik.', which translates to 'The cat is lying under the chair.'
The passage says 'A macska a szék alatt fekszik.', which translates to 'The cat is lying under the chair.'
Mi van a monitor alatt?
Read this passage:
Az irodában rendetlenség van. A toll a monitor alatt van. A telefon a könyv alatt van. A papírok a billentyűzet alatt vannak.
Mi van a monitor alatt?
The passage states 'A toll a monitor alatt van.', meaning 'The pen is under the monitor.'
The passage states 'A toll a monitor alatt van.', meaning 'The pen is under the monitor.'
The dog sits under the table.
The bridge is under the river.
There is a page under the book.
Imagine you're describing your messy desk. Write a few sentences in Hungarian, using 'alatt' at least once, to say what is under some items.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Az asztalom alatt egy doboz van. A könyvek alatt papírok hevernek. A tollak a papírok alatt vannak.
You are giving directions to someone trying to find a hidden treasure in your house. Write a short paragraph in Hungarian, using 'alatt' to specify locations.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A kincset a régi szék alatt találod. Onnan nézd meg az ágyat, mert valami az ágy alatt van elrejtve. Végül a szekrény alatt is keress.
Describe a difficult situation where you felt 'under pressure' or 'under attack'. Use 'alatt' to convey this feeling in Hungarian.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Az utolsó projekt határideje alatt nagy nyomás alatt éreztem magam. Mintha folyamatos támadás alatt lettem volna a feladatoktól. Nagyon nehéz volt.
Hol pihent a macska?
Read this passage:
A macska az asztal alatt pihent. A kutya a szék alatt feküdt. A gyerekek az ágy alatt keresték a játékokat, de csak a porcicákat találták. A takaró az összes bútor alatt rejtőzött, soha nem találtuk meg.
Hol pihent a macska?
The first sentence clearly states 'A macska az asztal alatt pihent.', meaning 'The cat rested under the table.'
The first sentence clearly states 'A macska az asztal alatt pihent.', meaning 'The cat rested under the table.'
Hol volt elrejtve a festmény?
Read this passage:
A régi festmény a nagy szőnyeg alatt volt elrejtve. Senki nem gondolta volna, hogy egy ilyen értékes műtárgy a por alatt várja a felfedezést. A tulajdonos a szék alatt találta meg véletlenül, amikor takarított.
Hol volt elrejtve a festmény?
The first sentence states 'A régi festmény a nagy szőnyeg alatt volt elrejtve.', meaning 'The old painting was hidden under the large rug.'
The first sentence states 'A régi festmény a nagy szőnyeg alatt volt elrejtve.', meaning 'The old painting was hidden under the large rug.'
Ki irányítása alatt dolgoztak a diákok?
Read this passage:
A diákok a professzor irányítása alatt dolgoztak a kutatáson. Rengeteg adatot gyűjtöttek, és a statisztikákat is az ő felügyelete alatt elemezték. A projekt a végén nagy sikernek örvendett, köszönhetően a szigorú vezetésnek.
Ki irányítása alatt dolgoztak a diákok?
The first sentence says 'A diákok a professzor irányítása alatt dolgoztak a kutatáson.', which means 'The students worked on the research under the professor's direction.'
The first sentence says 'A diákok a professzor irányítása alatt dolgoztak a kutatáson.', which means 'The students worked on the research under the professor's direction.'
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
