13 Comments
"Hogy hívnak" and "Mi a neved". What's the difference in meaning and use?
213
"Hogy hívnak?" - How do they call (you)?
"Mi a neved?" - What is your name?
There is no difference in use.
So after reading the comments when I missed this the first time, I answered "what are you called"? knowing that "hivnak" has something to do with "call" verses "name." "How do they call you" is not natural in English and "what are you called" is much closer to an English expression using the term "call." Should I report it or is there some deeper meaning that I am missing?
- 213
There's no deeper meaning here. It's just a matter of who thinks what is an acceptable translation of this phrase. "How do they call you?" is literal and "What's your name?" is idiomatic. In my personal opinion "What are you called?" sounds a bit off, as if I'm asking about how people insult you.
On the other hand I think "How are you called?" would be a good alternative. It both reflects the question word hogy - how, and the use of the 3rd-person plural conjugation as a way to express passive statements.
But as I say, personal opinion. You may suggest any sentence you deem fitting. :)
Kati is the nickname of a very common name Katalin, which is the equivalent of English Kathleen/Catherine/Catherin
- 213
Not all transitive verbs use the definite conjugation. :)
In this case, hívnak is used because the (implied) adressant is téged (or titeket), so a familiar 'you'. However, if you use the formal 'you' forms, önt and önöket (or magát and magukat), those follow the third-person grammar, and third-person grammar requires the use of the definite conjugation.
In summary:
Hogy hívnak téged/titeket?
Hogy hívják önt/önöket?
All of these are valid translations. And if it's clear who the adressant is, you can leave out the pronouns: "Hogy hívnak?" or "Hogy hívják?"
- 213
It's very unidiomatic in English. Usually you'd go for "What's your name?" or "Who are you?" You can suggest it if you want, though.
It is not at all unidiomatic. It is a question which in English would have the emphasis on 'you'. What are 'you' called?
The answer they gave was "how they call you"? I used "who are you?" which is more natural in English than "what are you called"?
