9 · Beginner · 15 minutes
Hol? Hová? Honnan?
By the end you can: Choose the right place ending from a 3×3 grid instead of memorising nine.
Hungarian has nine endings for place. Learned as a list they are why the language has its reputation. Learned as a grid they are two ideas and a harmony rule.
One axis is motion: are you asking where something (?), where it is going (?), or where it comes (?). The other axis is relationship: something, of it, or it.
| to | at | from | |
|---|---|---|---|
| inside | -ba/-be | -ban/-ben | -ból/-ből |
| surface | -ra/-re | -on/-en/-ön | -ról/-ről |
| near | -hoz/-hez/-höz | -nál/-nél | -tól/-től |
"the shop" → (into), (in), (out of). "the table" → (onto), (on), (off). "the doctor" → (to), (at), (from).
You already know the -/- row from lesson 3. Every cell harmonises the same way: one back form, one front form, and for the surface and rows a rounded front form too. Learn the grid once and all nine follow.