Word order in questions

 

Word order in questions:

Questions with question words

In Hungarian, if the question has a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how...), then that word should be placed immediately in front of the verb.

It's a good idea to start a question with a question word, but it is not necessary.

Examples:

• Mi van a város fölött?  - What is above the city? 
• A város fölött mi van?
• Ki sétál a régi házak között?  - Who is walking between the old houses?
• A régi házak között ki sétál?

The question word should come immediately before the verb, it is always in focus, except...  

Exceptions:

When a question word is a part of a "block", like How many cars? How much water? - Then put this "block" before the verb.

Hány autót lát Péter? - How many cars does Péter see?

Mennyi víz van a pohárban? - How much water is in the glass?

Milyen gyakran voltál Angliában? - How often were you in England? 

Note: 
This word order is pretty close to the English word order. 
Look at the English word order in What is above the city?  or How much water is in the glass? The verb comes after the question word, or the "block" with the question word.
So just copy the English word order. :)

Exception 2:

miért (why) does not have to be right before the verb.

Miért dolgozol? - Why are you working?

Miért nem dolgozol? - Why aren't you working?

Miért te dolgozol? - Why is it you who is working?

Miért nem az Egyesült Államok 42. elnökének a felesége lett a 45. elnök? Why not the wife of the 42nd president of the US became the 45th president?

Yes-no questions:

The previous complicated rules were for questions with question words.
But making a yes-no question is much simpler: just take a statement and add a question mark. You can keep the same word order as it was in the statement. 
 In speech, change the intonation.

Gyakran vagy a kocsmában.   You are often at the pub.
Gyakran vagy a kocsmában?  Are you often at the pub?

Piros az alma.  The apple is red.
Piros az alma?  Is the apple red?