csuklik

From an otherwise unattested stem of unknown origin, perhaps an onomatopoeia + -lik (verb-forming suffix).^[1]

• IPA^(key):
• Hyphenation: csuk‧lik
• Rhymes: -uklik

csuklik

1. (intransitive) to hiccup (to have the hiccups)
2. (intransitive, usually with a verbal prefix or a directional adverb, of the head, a limb, or the entire body) to fall, drop, sink, collapse

   Synonyms: esik, hullik, omlik, rogy

This verb belongs among those whose subjunctive forms (as well as adverbial participle and potential) would generate a cluster of three consonants, which is hard to pronounce. To avoid it, linguistic literature usually advises inserting a vowel between the first two consonants (or in some cases, avoiding these forms altogether). However, many native speakers find it just as awkward as the triple-consonant option and shrink from using it, even refusing these forms on hearing (although people have no objection to using the same linking vowel with other verbs like oszlik or bomlik). If someone wants to avoid these forms, a synonymous verb can be used instead or the sentence can be rephrased. (Verbs that are currently categorized as not having the above forms at all are listed at Hungarian defective verbs. However, in this case there is not always a clear dividing line between uncommon and impossible.) Further reading (in Hungarian):

In this case, the disputed subjunctive form as in ne csukolj (“don’t hiccup”) may be avoided e.g. by saying csinálj valamit, hogy elmúljon/​elmulaszd a csuklásod (“do something to stop your hiccup”, or “to make your hiccup stop”).

(With verbal prefixes):

• csuklik in Bárczi, Géza and László Országh. A magyar nyelv értelmező szótára (“The Explanatory Dictionary of the Hungarian Language”, abbr.: ÉrtSz.). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1959–1962. Fifth ed., 1992: →ISBN
• csuklik in Nóra Ittzés, editor, A magyar nyelv nagyszótára [A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Hungarian Language] (Nszt.), Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 2006–2031 (work in progress; published a–ez as of 2024).