Patai

• IPA^(key): [ˈpɒtɒji]

Patai

1. a surname

Hungarian surnames ending in -i or -y (both pronounced /i/, e.g. Munkácsy, Kölcsey, Petőfi, Jókai) may form their plurals with or without a linking vowel. These variants are usually synonyms with an occasional difference in meaning. (Reference in Hungarian: e-nyelv: The plural of surnames ending in -i or -y.)

• The variant with a linking vowel may indicate the persons belonging to the family with that surname.

  Megérkeztek a Munkácsyak! ― The Munkácsys (the Munkácsy family) are here!

• The variant without a linking vowel may indicate similar personalities or the works, writings, paintings, etc. of a famous person with that surname.

  Megérkeztek a Munkácsyk! ― The Munkácsys (the paintings of Munkácsy) are here!