madarat lehetne fogatni

Hungarian

Alternative forms

• madarat lehet fogatni (cf. lehet)

Etymology

madár (“bird”) +‎ -at (accusative suffix) +‎ lehetne (“could be, it would be possible”) +‎ fogatni (“to have someone catch”), literally: "one could have him/her catch a bird".

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈmɒdɒrɒt ˈlɛhɛtnɛ foɡɒtni]

Phrase

madarat lehetne fogatni (-val/-vel)

1. (idiomatic) to be happy as a lark, to walk on air

   Madarat lehetne fogatni velem. ― I am happy as a lark.

   A nővéremmel madarat lehetne fogatni. ― My sister is happy as a lark.

   Máriával madarat lehetne fogatni. ― Maria is happy as a lark.

Usage notes

The Hungarian causative structure uses the instrumental case, so the subject requires a -val/-vel ending.