birtokos jelző -é
Whose it is
Not the English ’s on the possessor of a named noun — that is -nak/-nek + possessive. -é stands in for a missing possessed thing.
-é stands in for a possessed thing that has been left out of the sentence. It is not the everyday possessive: Péter háza already means ‘Péter’s house’. Reach for -é only when the thing itself is missing.
Endings
-é · -éi
Genitive / -é · the one belonging to…
When not to use it
Not when the possessed noun is named. ‘Péter’s house’ is Péter háza; a Péteré means ‘Péter’s one’, with the house understood from context.
Tell them apart
Péter háza
Péter’s house
A ház a Péteré.
The house is Péter’s.
Name the thing and the owner stays bare; drop it and -é fills the gap.
Notes
- Ez a ház a Péteré — this house is Péter’s (one).
- Plural possessed: a Péteréi — Péter’s ones.
- Contrast: Péter háza — Péter’s house (the house is named).
Examples
Ez a ház a Péteré.
This house is Péter’s.
Melyik autó a tiéd? Az a piros a Péteré.
Which car is yours? That red one is Péter’s.
A gyerekeké a jövő.
The future is the children’s.
Ezek a könyvek a tanáréi.
These books are the teacher’s.
Kié ez a kabát?
Whose coat is this?