What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb menni (to go) in the imperative mood and the particle el (away).
Which one should you use?
While menj el focuses on the general act of departing from a location, the phrase menj innen is a more forceful way to tell someone to leave the immediate vicinity of the speaker or to get out of a specific spot immediately.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase menj el! is the informal version, suitable for use with close friends or family. For formal contexts, you should use Menjen el! to politely ask someone to leave. If you are in a professional or formal setting and wish to be particularly respectful, you can use Kérem, távozzon! which means 'Please, leave!' For a very forceful and informal command, you can use Tűnj el!, which translates to 'Disappear!' or 'Get lost!'
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the negative imperative, such as 'don't go away', place the particle ne before the verb to get ne menj el.
Did you know?
- Hungarian speakers may use menj el sarcastically to express disbelief, similar to how an English speaker might say 'get out of here' when they hear a shocking story.
- In Hungarian, using the formal menjen el to tell someone to go away can actually sound more aggressive or icy than the informal menj el because it creates a cold social distance.
- The word távozzon used in formal requests comes from the root távol, which means 'far' or 'distant'.
Examples in context
- Kérlek, ne menj el!Please don't go away.This sentence shows how to use the negative imperative with menj el.Tatoeba #3610335 by Tarsolyos, translation #1841589 by CK
- Most azonnal menj el!Go away right now.This sentence demonstrates an urgent way to use menj el.Tatoeba #10339622 by maaster, translation #7773278 by CK
- Ne menj el! Szívesen látunk itt.Don't go away. You're welcome here.This sentence shows how menj el can be used in a welcoming context.Tatoeba #13939605 by kiseva33, translation #9558388 by shekitten
- Menj el!Go away
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
László and Katalin are having a disagreement in their living room.
- LászlóKatalin, kérlek, menj el innen.Katalin, please, go away from here.
- KatalinDe László, miért akarod, hogy menjek el?But László, why do you want me to go away?
- LászlóMert most nagyon mérges vagyok.Because I am very angry right now.
- KatalinÉrtem, akkor most elmegyek.I understand, then I will go away now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
