Hungarian Verbs And Essentials of Grammar (Paperback)

by Miklos Torkenczy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This compact volume offers an integrated guide to both Hungarian verbs and the basics of grammar. All of the major verbal and grammatical concepts of the language are presented.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844283509
• ISBN-13: 978-0844283500
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #700,096 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No, It's NOT Complete, Nor Is It High-Level, August 25, 2002

By A Customer

I couldn't disagree more with the previous reviewer, who criticizes this book for its alleged inaccessibility. As a beginning Hungarian student, I've been consulting this grammar from day one and have gotten quick answers to the questions raised by Teach Yourself Hungarian, which generally eschews the grammar approach. (I'll admit I have studied a number of foreign languages, but a person serious about Hungarian will need to learn some grammar early in the process or risk learning nothing at all.)

Torkenczy's book is clearly organized and concise. In fact, it is at times a bit too concise, leaving the reader with the impression that the writer has not explained the more subtle grammatical points of the Hungarian language. Nevertheless, for a BEGINNER (not the expert), the book is most practical. The EXPERT (not the beginner) would be better served by Hungarian: An Essential Grammar (Routledge Grammars) by Carol Rounds.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summary of Hungarian grammar, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

Excellent concise guide into some of the "why's" of the eccentricities of Hungarian Grammar, presented in such a way as to make memorization easy and fun. It's a pocket book that you can take anywhere, pick out on a train, and get a lot of Hungarian assimilation in as much or as little time as you have.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely essential for the serious Hungarian student, March 15, 2005

By	Buddy Bradley (Miyagi, Japan) - See all my reviews

Torkenczy's the Man. I don't see how anybody could master Hungarian without this book. Torkenczy has simplified Hungarian grammar to its core essentials, and provided lots of lists of verb conjugation and the like that are invaluable for the serious student.

But note that this should be used as a reference book and not as a textbook to learn Hungarian! My recommendation is to get this book only after about 8-12 months of studying Hungarian, depending on how serious of a student you are. Then read it cover-to-cover without stopping or re-reading. There will be much you won't understand, but don't worry about that now; just read it in its entirety to get an overview of all the forms and structures. Parallel to your normal studies, re-read it at least every 6-8 months, this time more in-depth, over and over until you feel confident that you know it all. It'll work!

The only major flaw with this book is that its a little TOO concise. There are some places where a bit more explanation would have served the book better. There are also a few grammar points not covered, unfortunately, such as the "-e" (whether or not) ending. The only other negative comment I would have is that there are too many specialized linguistic terms for the non-linguist learner.

But it gets 5 stars for its overall usefulness and indispensibility.