Lesson 64 of 74 · B1, Unit 3: Advanced grammar
Causative verbs: having something done
-tat/-tet added to a verb turns 'do X' into 'have X done' or 'make someone do X': csinál ('do') → csináltat ('have done'), vág ('cut') → vágat ('have cut'). The person doing the actual work, if named, takes -val/-vel: Fodrásszal vágattam le a hajam ('I had my hair cut by a hairdresser').
Stems ending in certain consonants double them before the suffix: épít ('build') → építtet — a small spelling detail, not a different rule.
By the end you can:
- form causative verbs with -tat/-tet: 'have something done'
- use fodrásszal/valakivel + a causative verb to name who does the work
- tell apart csinálom ('I do it myself') from csináltatom ('I have it done')
Unlock the full lesson
The full lesson — 3 sections of explanation, its 14 words with audio, a dialogue, flashcards, a quiz and spaced review. The first three lessons are free. A subscription unlocks every lesson.
See plans