is

The Hungarian word is is a fundamental building block of the language, functioning primarily as a conjunction or particle that translates to 'also', 'too', or 'as well' in English. Unlike the English word 'is' (the third-person singular of the verb 'to be'), the Hungarian is has nothing to do with existence or identity; it is strictly an additive particle. Its primary role is to indicate that the preceding word or phrase is included in a previously mentioned category or action. In the hierarchy of Hungarian grammar, is is post-positional, meaning it must always follow the specific word it is modifying. This creates a logical flow where the speaker identifies the new element first and then immediately tags it with the inclusion marker.

Grammatical Category

Conjunction / Additive Particle

Syntactic Position

Post-positional (follows the focus word)

In everyday Hungarian conversation, is is ubiquitous. It is used to build consensus, show shared experiences, and expand on lists. For example, if someone says they are going to the cinema, you might respond with 'Én is megyek' (I am also going). Here, the word is immediately follows 'én' (I), highlighting that the inclusion applies specifically to the speaker. If the word were placed elsewhere, the meaning would shift or become ungrammatical. This rigid placement is one of the first hurdles for English speakers, who are used to the flexibility of 'also' (which can appear before a verb, after a verb, or at the end of a sentence).

Beyond simple addition, is serves a rhetorical purpose in Hungarian. It can be used to emphasize that even a surprising or extreme case is included. For instance, 'Még a vak is látja' translates to 'Even the blind see it'. In this context, is works in tandem with 'még' (even) to create a superlative sense of inclusion. This versatility makes it an essential tool for expressing nuance. Learners must also distinguish it from its negative counterpart, sem. While is is used in affirmative sentences, sem is used when saying 'neither' or 'not either'. Understanding this binary relationship is key to achieving A1 and A2 proficiency.

Historically, the word is has remained remarkably stable in the Hungarian language. It is part of the core Finno-Ugric vocabulary, reflecting the language's ancient roots in structuring logic through post-positional particles. In modern usage, it is neutral in register, appearing in everything from high-court legal documents to toddlers' first sentences. Its brevity—a single syllable with a high front unrounded vowel—makes it easy to slot into rapid speech, often blending slightly with the preceding word in casual conversation. However, in formal writing, its placement must be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common Pairing

Often used with 'még' (even) or 'szintén' (likewise).

Furthermore, is can be doubled in a sentence to create the 'both... and' construction. For example, 'A kutya is és a macska is eszik' means 'Both the dog and the cat are eating'. This repetitive structure is a hallmark of Hungarian logic, emphasizing that the inclusion applies equally to both subjects. This contrasts with English, which uses a prefixing 'both' and a central 'and'. Mastering this 'is... is' pattern allows learners to construct more complex and natural-sounding sentences, moving beyond simple declarations into comparative and descriptive narratives.

Using is correctly in a sentence requires a fundamental understanding of Hungarian word order and focus. In Hungarian, the most important information usually precedes the verb. When you use is, you are effectively declaring that the word before it is the focus of the additive logic. This is quite different from English, where 'too' usually sits at the end of the sentence. In Hungarian, if you want to say 'I am also a student', you must place is immediately after 'I' (én) or 'student' (diák), depending on what you are emphasizing.

Rule 1: The Anchor Rule

The particle 'is' must follow the word it refers to. It never starts a sentence and rarely ends one unless the focus word is at the end.

Consider the sentence 'Anna is olvas'. This means 'Anna is also reading' (implying someone else is reading too). If you change it to 'Anna olvas is', it means 'Anna is also reading' (implying Anna is doing something else, like listening to music, and she is reading as well). The position of is completely changes the scope of the 'also'. This semantic precision is a powerful feature of Hungarian, allowing speakers to be very specific about what is being added to the conversation without needing extra words.

When dealing with verbs, is can follow the verb to indicate that the action itself is an addition. 'Eszem is' means 'I am also eating' (in addition to drinking, for example). However, if the verb has a prefix (like 'meg-', 'be-', 'ki-'), the is usually separates the prefix from the verb in certain emphatic structures, though for A1 learners, it is safer to stick to the rule that is follows the whole verbal unit in simple affirmative statements. 'Meg is ettem' (I even ate it / I also finished eating it) shows how is can wedge itself into a verb to add emphasis.

In questions, the placement remains the same. 'Te is jössz?' (Are you coming too?). The question mark at the end and the rising intonation on the word before is signal the inquiry. In complex sentences, is can appear multiple times. 'Péter is és János is ott lesznek' (Both Peter and John will be there). This 'X is és Y is' pattern is the standard way to say 'both X and Y'. Note that 'és' (and) is used between the two items, each followed by is.

Negative Contrast

If you want to say 'not either', you MUST switch 'is' to 'sem'. 'Én is megyek' (I am also going) vs. 'Én sem megyek' (I am not going either).

Finally, let's look at the usage with pronouns. Hungarian often omits the subject pronoun because the verb ending indicates the person. However, when you use is, you almost always include the pronoun because is needs a physical word to attach to. Instead of just saying 'Megyek' (I go), you would say 'Én is megyek' to clarify that 'I' am the one also going. This makes pronouns much more frequent in 'also' sentences than in standard affirmative ones.

If you spend even a single day in Budapest or any Hungarian-speaking town, you will hear the word is hundreds of times. It is one of those 'glue' words that keeps conversations moving. At a market, you'll hear customers saying 'Ebből is kérek fél kilót' (I'd like half a kilo of this one too). In a café, friends will chime in with 'Én is kérek egy eszpresszót' (I'll have an espresso too). Its brevity makes it sound almost like a suffix in fast speech, but its distinct 'i' sound always cuts through.

Daily Life

Used constantly in shopping, ordering food, and agreeing with friends.

Social Media

In comments, users write '+1' or 'Én is!' to show agreement.

In Hungarian media, is appears frequently in news headlines to link related events. A headline might read: 'Drágult a benzin, és a gáz is' (Petrol prices rose, and gas prices did too). In political speeches, it is used to build a sense of inclusivity and shared burden or success. For example, 'A falvakban is épülnek utak' (Roads are being built in the villages too). Here, is signals that the development isn't just limited to the cities, making it a key word for political rhetoric and social commentary.

In literature and poetry, is is used to create rhythm and emphasize the interconnectedness of things. Attila József and Sándor Petőfi, two of Hungary's greatest poets, used is to build layers of meaning. In a poem, 'is' can link the mundane with the cosmic. Because it is a short, unstressed syllable (usually), it helps maintain the iambic or trochaic meters common in Hungarian verse. For a learner, recognizing is in poetry helps identify the themes of unity and repetition that are so central to the Hungarian soul.

In the workplace, is is used for coordination. 'A főnök is jön a megbeszélésre' (The boss is also coming to the meeting). It helps in managing expectations and clarifying logistics. In technical manuals or instructions, you might see 'A kék gombot is meg kell nyomni' (The blue button must also be pressed). Its role in providing clear, additive instructions is vital for safety and efficiency. It is a word that leaves little room for doubt once its placement is mastered.

Finally, in pop culture and music, is is a frequent guest in song lyrics. Whether it's a pop song about 'Te is kellesz' (I need you too) or a folk song about the harvest where 'A búza is beérett' (The wheat has also ripened), the word acts as a bridge. It connects the singer's emotions to the listener's reality. Understanding this word isn't just about grammar; it's about being able to participate in the shared cultural logic of the Hungarian people, where everything is connected and everyone is included.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with is is confusing it with the English verb 'is'. In English, 'is' expresses a state of being (e.g., 'He is tall'). In Hungarian, this is expressed by the verb 'van' (or often omitted in the third person). Beginners often try to say 'Ő is magas' to mean 'He is tall', but this actually means 'He is also tall'. This 'false friend' error can lead to significant confusion in basic descriptions. Always remember: Hungarian is = English also, NOT English is.

Mistake 1: The 'To Be' Confusion

Using 'is' as a linking verb. Correct: 'Ő magas' (He is tall). Incorrect: 'Ő is magas' (unless you mean he is ALSO tall).

Another common error is the word order. In English, we can say 'Also, I like apples' or 'I also like apples' or 'I like apples too'. The position is flexible. In Hungarian, is MUST follow the word it modifies. A learner might try to say 'Is én szeretem az almát', which is completely incorrect. The only correct form is 'Én is szeretem az almát'. Misplacing is is the quickest way to sound like a non-native speaker. It’s an 'anchor' word—it needs something to hold onto on its left side.

The third major pitfall is the failure to switch to sem in negative sentences. Hungarian has a strict rule for negative inclusion. If you want to say 'I don't like it either', you cannot say 'Én is nem szeretem'. While this might be understood, it is grammatically 'ugly'. The correct way is 'Én sem szeretem'. The word sem is a portmanteau of 'is' and 'nem'. Using is with a negative verb is a classic A1/A2 mistake that persists if not corrected early.

Learners also struggle with the difference between is and szintén. While both mean 'also', szintén is an adverb and is slightly more formal. You can say 'Én szintén zenész vagyok' (I am likewise a musician), but 'Én is zenész vagyok' is much more natural and common. Using szintén too often can make your Hungarian sound stiff and academic. Is is the 'workhorse' of the language; use it as your default for 'also'.

Mistake 4: Over-emphasis

Adding 'is' where it's not needed. Only use it when you are actually adding something to a list or a thought. If you just want to say 'I'm here', say 'Itt vagyok', not 'Itt is vagyok' (unless you mean you are here IN ADDITION to being somewhere else, which is physically impossible!).

Finally, don't forget that is does not change for vowel harmony. Some students try to change it to 'üs' or 'as' to match the preceding word, like a suffix. It is an independent word (a particle), so it always remains is. Keeping it simple is the key—just remember the 'anchor' rule and the 'negative switch' rule, and you will avoid 90% of common errors associated with this word.

While is is the most common way to express addition, Hungarian offers several alternatives that carry slightly different nuances or levels of formality. Understanding these can help you move from basic A1 Hungarian to more sophisticated B1/B2 levels. The most direct alternative is szintén, which translates best as 'likewise' or 'similarly'. It is often used in formal introductions or written texts. For example, 'Én szintén örülök a találkozásnak' (I am likewise happy to meet you) sounds more polite than using is.

szintén

Formal 'likewise'. Used to mirror an action or state exactly. 'Ő szintén orvos' (He is likewise a doctor).

ugyanúgy

Literally 'the same way'. Used when the manner of an action is also the same. 'Én ugyanúgy gondolom' (I think the same way/also think so).

Another important word is ráadásul, which means 'moreover' or 'on top of that'. While is simply adds an item to a list, ráadásul adds a sense of escalation or surprise. 'Esik az eső, és ráadásul fúj a szél is' (It's raining, and on top of that, the wind is blowing too). Notice how ráadásul and is can work together in the same sentence to provide double emphasis. This is a common way to express frustration or excitement.

Then there is továbbá, which is very formal and mostly used in writing or official speeches. It translates to 'furthermore' or 'in addition'. If you are writing an essay, továbbá is a much better choice for starting a new paragraph than trying to force is into a sentence where it doesn't fit. For example, 'Továbbá meg kell említenünk...' (Furthermore, we must mention...). It provides a clear transition that is cannot provide because is cannot start a sentence.

We must also mention sőt, which means 'even' or 'what's more'. It is used when the second item is even more significant than the first. 'Szeretem a teát, sőt, a kávét is' (I like tea, in fact, I like coffee too). Here, sőt introduces the stronger preference, and is confirms the addition. This combination is very powerful in Hungarian rhetoric to show a progression of intensity.

Comparison Table

• is: Neutral, conversational, post-positional.
• szintén: Formal, mirroring, adverbial.
• ráadásul: Emphatic, adds 'extra' weight.
• sőt: Escalating, 'even more so'.

In summary, while is will be your most frequently used word for 'also', being aware of szintén, ugyanúgy, ráadásul, and sőt will allow you to express a wider range of emotions and maintain the appropriate level of formality in different social situations. Each of these words has its own 'home' in the Hungarian sentence structure, and learning where they live is a key part of your linguistic journey.