Types of relativizers (Hungarian)

InitRzerPro: Relative clauses are marked by the use of an obligatory clause-initial relative pronoun.

RzerSuff: Relative clauses are marked by the use of a relativizing suffix that attaches directly or indirectly to the root of the verb stem.


(1) a folyó túlpart-já-n lak-ó ember nagyon vadász.

the river opposite_bank-3sg-sup live-prs.ptc man very good hunter

‘The man living on the opposite bank of the river is a very good hunter.’


(2) az ember, aki a folyó túlpart-já-n lak-ik, nagyon vadász.

the man who the river opposite_bank-3sg-sup live-prs.3sg very good hunter

‘The man, who lives on the opposite bank of the river, is a very good hunter.’


In contemporary Hungarian, subordination is considered to be a neutral way of expressing relative meanings. However, there are no grammatical restrictions on opting for participle constructions instead (cf. Balogh 2000b: 444‒448, Kenesei et al. 1998: 37‒41).

Author: 

Nikolett F. Gulyás