Get 40% OFF with the You Can Speak sale! Hurry! Ends soon!
Get 40% OFF with the You Can Speak sale! Hurry! Ends soon!

HungarianPod101.com Blog

Learn Hungarian with Free Daily
Audio and Video Lessons!
Start Your Free Trial 6 FREE Features

80 Hungarian Animal Words and a Few Fun Idioms

Thumbnail

Do you know which two animals ancient Hungarians most revered? The deer and the wolf! The former for its grace and gentle nature, and the latter for its strength and tendency toward predation. 

While we no longer regard animals with quite the same level of esteem, they still play a large role in our daily lives. As a Hungarian learner, you’ll greatly benefit from learning the names of common animals in Hungarian. Doing so will allow you to better understand native Hungarian speakers and strike up conversations with just about anyone—because who doesn’t like talking about their pets or their favorite wild creatures? 

In this article, you’ll learn the names of the most common Hungarian animals as well as those abroad. We’ll cover everything from pets to a variety of wildlife: mammals, reptiles, sea creatures, birds, and the list goes on. And the cherry on top? Toward the end of the article, we’ve also included the names of animal body parts and a handful of fun Hungarian idioms that mention animals. 

For maximum clarity, we’ve listed each animal with its name in both English and Hungarian. But if you still have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to us in the comments—we’d be glad to help! 

Ready to jump in?

A Group of Animals [Two Dogs, Parrot, Cat, Snake, Mouse] in Front of a White Background
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. At Home (Hungarian Pets / Magyar kiskedvencek)
  2. On the Farm (Hungarian Farm Animals / Magyar háziállatok)
  3. In the Wild / Forest / Safari (Hungarian Land Animals / Magyar szárazföldi állatok)
  4. In the Ocean (Hungarian Aquatic Animals / Magyar vízi állatok)
  5. Hungarian Bugs and Insects / Magyar bogarak és rovarok
  6. Hungarian Birds and Reptiles / Magyar madarak és hüllők
  7. Animal Body Parts
  8. Animal-Related Idioms and Slang Expressions in Hungarian
  9. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Get the Most out of Language Learning

1. At Home (Hungarian Pets / Magyar kiskedvencek)

This first category is probably everyone’s favorite, because who doesn’t like pets? Plus, the first Hungarian animal words you should learn are those you’re most likely to hear during a conversation. Pets are like this. Learning these words will allow you to talk about your own pets with a native Hungarian speaker, or even inquire about their favorite animals. Also, talking about your fur babies is a great ice-breaker when meeting new people.

  • “Dog” – Kutya
  • “Cat” – Macska
  • “Hamster” – Hörcsög
  • “Guinea pig” – Tengerimalac
  • “Parrot” – Papagáj
  • “Goldfish” – Aranyhal
  • “Rabbit” – Nyúl

We call baby rabbits “bunnies” in English, right? Well, there are special names for baby animals in Hungarian, too. You can learn what some of them are and hear their correct pronunciation in our lesson Baby Animals

  • Pond slider” – Ékszerteknős
  • “Chinchilla” – Csincsilla
  • “Mouse” – Egér

While mice are not usually considered pets, nothing is impossible! Nowadays, some people do own mice as pets—not to mention other strange animals, like snakes and tarantulas!

    → Would you like to hear the pronunciation of the most popular pets in Hungarian? Then visit our absolute beginner lesson Pets!

A Little Girl Smiling while Hugging Her Dog

2. On the Farm (Hungarian Farm Animals / Magyar háziállatok)

The next category we’ll cover is farm animals (háziállatok). Before we look at this list of animals in Hungarian, let’s break down the word for farm animals: 

Háziállatok is the plural form of háziállat, which refers to a single domestic animal. The word háziállat is composed of two separate words, which are házi (“related to the house”) and állat (“animal”). 

  • “Horse” –
  • “Cow” – Tehén
  • “Calf” – Borjú
  • “Duck” – Kacsa
  • “Donkey” – Szamár
  • “Goose” – Lúd
  • “Sheep” – Birka
  • “Cattle” – Szarvasmarha
  • “Chicken” – Csirke
  • “Turkey” – Pulyka
  • “Rooster” – Kakas
  • “Frog” – Béka
  • “Pig” – Sertés / Disznó / Malac
  • “Goat” – Kecske
  • “Yak” – Jak
  • “Fox” – Róka

While the fox is obviously not a domesticated animal, you can often find them lurking around roosts on farms in search of a nice meal.


Two Donkeys - a White One and a Brown One - Looking into the Camera

3. In the Wild / Forest / Safari (Hungarian Land Animals / Magyar szárazföldi állatok)

Now we’re getting to the interesting part. Wild animals are definitely some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. And even though the “classic” wild or safari animals—which make up the majority of the following list—cannot be found in Hungary outside a zoo, Hungarian forests have their own captivating fauna. Wild animals in Hungary include bears, deer, and even wolves—but you definitely wouldn’t spot a lion outside a cage! 

In Hungarian, we call wild animals vadállatok. Make sure to watch the plural suffix (-k) and the linking vowel (o). The names of some wild animals in Hungarian, as you can see below, are similar to their English counterparts. 

  • “Deer” – Szarvas
  • “Bear” – Medve
  • “Wolf” – Farkas
  • “Lion” – Oroszlán
  • “Elephant” – Elefánt
  • “Cheetah” – Párduc
  • “Rhinoceros” – Rinocérosz
  • “Ostrich” – Strucc

Did you know that the strucc is the largest bird in the world? Learn more fun facts about animals on our website.

  • “Zebra” – Zebra
  • “Giraffe” – Zsiráf
  • “Hippopotamus” – Víziló
  • “Tiger” – Tigris
  • “Gazelle” – Gazella
  • “Chimpanzee” – Csimpánz
  • “Meerkat” – Szurikáta
  • “Jaguar” – Jaguár
  • “Otter” – Vidra

Two Zebras in Their Natural Habitat, One Big and One Small

4. In the Ocean (Hungarian Aquatic Animals / Magyar vízi állatok)

The closest thing to an ocean you’ll find in Hungary is a big lake called Balaton, so you won’t be finding any octopus or jellyfish in Hungarian waters! Nonetheless, aquatic animals make for an interesting conversation topic, so it’s definitely worth learning their names in Hungarian.

  • “Dolphin” – Delfin
  • “Fish” – Hal
  • “Shark” – Cápa
  • “Whale” – Bálna
  • “Octopus” – Polip
  • “Jellyfish” – Medúza
  • “Lobster” – Homár
  • “Squid” – Tintahal
  • “Turtle” – Teknősbéka
  • “Eel” – Angolna
  • “Salmon” – Lazac
  • “Crab” – Rák
  • “Clownfish” – Bohóchal

Did someone say “Nemo”? In Hungarian, we translate the name of this fish quite literally: bohóc (“clown”) and hal (“fish”).

  • “Walrus” – Rozmár
  • “Seahorse” – Tengericsikó

This one is funny, as it also translates quite literally. Csikó means “foal” in English, while tengeri means
“marine.”

  • “Starfish” – Csillaghal

Many Fish and Sea Animals in the Ocean

5. Hungarian Bugs and Insects / Magyar bogarak és rovarok

Even though many people find bugs and insects unpleasant, they’re actually an important part of the ecosystem. It may be hard to believe, but there are many bug species in Hungary that are currently endangered. Considering their importance, it would be good for you to learn at least a few bugs by their Hungarian names! 

  • “Spider” – Pók
  • “Butterfly” – Pillangó
  • “Bee” – Méh
  • “Ant” – Hangya
  • “Fly” – Légy
  • “Caterpillar” – Hernyó
  • “Stag beetle” – Szarvasbogár
  • “Dragonfly” – Szitakötő
  • “Ladybug” – Katicabogár
  • “Cricket” – Tücsök
  • “Wasp” – Darázs
  • “Praying mantis” – Imádkozósáska
  • “Flea” – Bolha
  • “Earwig” – Fülbemászó
  • “Grasshopper” – Szöcske
  • Stink bug” – Poloska

Hungary has been battling with stink bugs for many years, as they tend to form giant swarms during the fall. And the most annoying thing—as you might have guessed from their name—is that if you kill one, it’ll be super stinky afterward.

6. Hungarian Birds and Reptiles / Magyar madarak és hüllők

We couldn’t leave birds and reptiles out of our list of basic animals in Hungarian, right? They’re a crucial part of the planet’s fauna, and there are some really interesting species in Hungary. So, make sure to keep an eye out for them during your stay in Hungary—you’ll be able to encounter most of them in cities, as well as in forests and in the country. 

  • “Snake” – Kígyó
  • “Aesculapian snake” – Sikló

Aesculapian snakes are very common in hilly settings.

  • “Crocodile” – Krokodil

There are two zoos in Hungary that have crocodiles: one in Budapest and one in Debrecen. 

The pond turtle is one of the endangered animals in Hungary, so you’d better watch out for them. If you harm one, you could be fined 50,000 HUF (which is approximately 135 EUR or 168 USD).

  • “Adder” – Vipera
  • “Eagle” – Sas
  • “Swan” – Hattyú
  • “White stork” – Fehér gólya
  • “Blackbird” – Fekete rigó
  • “Crow” – Varjú
  • “Swallow” – Fecske
  • “Tit” – Cinege
  • “Pigeon” – Galamb

Pigeons are common in cities, especially in the most famous squares. This is because some people like to feed them, which draws them in like a moth to a flame. 

And last but not least, let’s cross the border between natural and supernatural for a moment:

Even though this is a mythical bird of prey, we wanted to include it on our list of Hungarian animal words, as the turul is the national animal of Hungary.

A Large Group of Pigeons, Some of Which Are Out of Focus

7. Animal Body Parts

A word list of the most common animal words in the Hungarian language would not be complete without the names of animal body parts. Here are the most important ones: 

  • “Tail” – Farok
  • “Paw” – Mancs
  • “Hoof” – Pata
  • “Tentacle” – Csáp
  • “Beak” – Csőr
  • “Snout” – Ormány
  • “Udder” – Tőgy
  • “Crest” – Sörény
  • “Claw” – Karom
  • “Whisker” – Macskabajusz

Literally, the Hungarian word for “whisker” means “cat mustache.” Clever, eh? 

8. Animal-Related Idioms and Slang Expressions in Hungarian

Finally, let’s see some Hungarian idioms and slang expressions that mention some of the animals from our list. Some of these are pretty funny, so you might want your notebook handy to take some notes. 😉 

#1 “To kill two flies with one hit” – Két legyet üt egy csapásra

Original idiom: “To kill two birds with one stone”

#2 “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” – Ajándék lónak ne nézd a fogát!

#3 “The smart one lets go; the donkey suffers.” – Okos enged, szamár szenved.

This idiom means that if you’re wise, you won’t get into a fight with someone (even if they’re wrong!). Otherwise, you’ll needlessly tire yourself out and lose the fight. 

#4 “Owl tells to the sparrow that it has a big head.” – Bagoly mondja verébnek, hogy nagyfejű.

Original idiom: “The pot calls the kettle black.”

#5 “Lots of geese defeat the pig.” – Sok lúd disznót győz.

This idiom means that the weak can defeat the strong if there’s enough of them.

Which of these animal-related idioms is your favorite?

A Group of Animals in Front of a White Background

9. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Get the Most out of Language Learning

How many Hungarian animal names do you still remember? Hopefully, you’ve gotten at least one or two safely tucked away already, but don’t forget to read through this article again and write down any words you’re struggling to remember. This will help store all of this new vocabulary in your long-term memory! 

Today, we introduced you to the Hungarian names of several different animals: 

  • Pets
  • Farm animals
  • Wild animals
  • Aquatic creatures
  • Bugs and insects
  • Birds and reptiles

We also provided a short list of animal body parts in Hungarian and introduced a few fun animal-related idioms. 

Did you enjoy studying about the animals native to Hungary and learning what to call the animals in your country? 

Before you go, let us know in the comments what your favorite animal is! Do you know its name in Hungarian?

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

Learn the Most Practical Hungarian Phone Call Phrases

Thumbnail

Remember the time your mom handed you the phone, telling you to order the pizza yourself if you wanted it so much? You were shaking so badly that you ended up just eating leftovers from the fridge that night… 

For some, speaking on the phone can be challenging or even frightening. During a phone conversation, we cannot see the other person’s facial expressions or other body language cues that we normally rely on for effective communication. 

Now imagine trying to talk on the phone in a foreign language! 

As a language learner, you’ll benefit from learning Hungarian phone call phrases for different situations. Knowing the essential phrases and expressions by heart will allow you to speak on the phone with more confidence. You’ll be able to go over the conversation in your head (and in Hungarian!) as many times as you need to before picking up the phone.

In this article, we’ve compiled the most useful Hungarian phrases for a phone call and categorized them according to the normal progression of a phone conversation. If you feel like something is missing, however, don’t hesitate to reach out to us in the comments. We’d be glad to help!

A Girl in a Blue Checkered Shirt Smiling and Speaking on the Phone

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Picking up the Phone
  2. Saying Who You Are
  3. Stating the Reason for the Call
  4. Asking to Speak to Someone
  5. Asking Someone to Wait
  6. Leaving a Message
  7. Asking for Clarification
  8. Ending the Phone Call
  9. Sample Phone Conversations
  10. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Hungarian Learning Goals

1. Picking up the Phone

To start, how should you answer the phone in Hungarian? 

Most phone calls begin with a friendly greeting, so here are a couple of different ways you can greet the caller when picking up the phone: 

Haló?
“Hello?”

Tessék? / Igen?
“Yeah?” / “Yes?”

You can use these next three phone phrases in Hungarian whether you’re the caller or the receiver: 

Szia!
“Hi!”

Jónapot!
“Hello!” (Literally: “Good day.”)

Mondd!
“Tell me.”

That last phrase works kind of like “shoot” in English, like when you’re encouraging someone to say something. 

2. Saying Who You Are

When you make a call in Hungarian, it’s expected that you introduce yourself to the other person. 

Your introduction should include your name at the very least. If you’re making a formal or business call, you should also include the name of your company. 

Here are some common phone phrases in Hungarian for introducing yourself: 

Péter vagyok.
“I’m Peter.”

Péter beszél.
“This is Peter speaking.”

You could use that second phrase when making or receiving a call, though it’s most commonly used when answering a call from an unknown number.

Péter vagyok a HungarianPod101-től.
“I’m Peter from HungarianPod101.”

Note the Hungarian suffix used in the phrase above: -től. The suffix you attach to a word will depend on the vowels the word contains. When you’re calling from a company, the suffix will either be -tól or -től.


Someone Dialing a Phone Number on Their Work Phone

3. Stating the Reason for the Call

Once you’ve greeted the receiver and stated who you are (and possibly the name of your company), you should brief them regarding the subject of your call. 

A simple “Yo, what’s up with you?” (Na, mizu veled?) might suffice for a casual chat with one of your friends, but most other situations will require that you know some formal Hungarian phone phrases. Below, you’ll find some neutral phrases that you can adapt for either context. 

Azért hívom / hívlak, hogy (a lakásról) kérdezzek.
“I’m calling to ask you (about the apartment).”

You would use hívom in formal contexts and hívlak in casual contexts. Again, watch the suffixes (-ról and -ről).

Azért hívom / hívlak, hogy megerősítsem (az időpontot).
“I’m calling to confirm (the appointment).”

Here, we’re confirming a date or appointment. In both English and Hungarian, the noun is in the accusative case; in Hungarian, this means adding the suffix -ot / -et / -öt.

Szeretnék a menedzserrel / vezetővel beszélni (a kiszolgálásról).
“I’d like to speak to the manager (about the service).”

Ha minden igaz, volt Öntől / tőled egy nem fogadott hívásom. Ezért hívom / hívlak.
“If I’m not mistaken, I have an unreceived call from you. That’s why I’m calling now.”

Öntől is the formal version of “from you,” and tőled is the informal version.

4. Asking to Speak to Someone

This step will come in handy when you’re calling an office or company, as the person who picks up may not be who you’re looking for. You might also need to ask if a friend is home should you call them on their landline. Most of these Hungarian phone phrases can be used in both formal and informal contexts. 

Szeretnék Katával beszélni.
“I’d like to speak to Kate.”

Beszélhetnék Katával?
“May I speak to Kate?”

Kata ott van?
“Is Kate there?”

Keep in mind that the phrase ott van is much too casual for use in business calls or other formal situations. Only use it when calling friends or family members. 

Oda tudná / tudnád adni Katának a telefont?
“Could you put Kate on the phone?”

This is another informal phrase, though using the tudná (Ön) conjugation makes it a bit more formal.

A Blond Secretary Wearing Glasses Is Speaking on the Phone in an Office

5. Asking Someone to Wait

We’ve all been there. Where, you ask? Talking on the phone with our friend, only to be interrupted when our parents barge in to tell us the least important thing ever that apparently could not have waited. 

Well, there are a million other reasons why you might have to ask someone to wait a little bit. Here are some useful Hungarian phone call phrases you can use in these situations: 

Csak egy pillanat, megnézem.
“Just a moment, I’ll check.”

Tartaná egy percig, kérem?
“Would you hold for a minute, please?”

Below is a very formal phrase you should save for business contexts (avoid using it with friends or family unless you want to joke around): 

Hadd irányítsam át egy kollégámhoz! Kérem, maradjon vonalban!
“Let me direct you to one of my colleagues. Stay on the line, please.”

This next phone phrase, on the other hand, is quite informal. Refrain from using it with business partners.

Várj csak egy kicsit!
“Just wait a bit.”

6. Leaving a Message

Although it can happen in friendlier atmospheres, you’ll most likely have to leave a message when making a formal/business call. For instance, perhaps the person you’re trying to reach is unavailable, but their assistant would be happy to take a message. (Or maybe you’re the assistant offering to take a message for your boss.) 

In either case, we have just the perfect Hungarian phone call phrases for you. (Mind the formal / informal conjugations of words.)

Most nem tud a telefonhoz jönni. Szeretne / szeretnél neki üzenetet hagyni?
“S/he can’t come to the phone right now. Would you like to leave a message?”

Milyen üzenetet szeretne / szeretnél hagyni?
“What message would you like to leave?”

Hagyhatok üzenetet?
“Can I leave a message?”

Megmondaná / megmondanád neki, kérem, hogy hívjon vissza a […] telefonszámon?
“Can you please tell him/her to call me back at [phone number]?”

7. Asking for Clarification

Asking for clarification is a crucial part of any phone call in Hungarian, especially if you’re a beginner or lack confidence in your listening comprehension skills. While it might be a bit embarrassing, wouldn’t it be even worse if you failed to deliver what you were asked because you didn’t understand? 

If you’re uncertain about what someone has said, don’t be afraid to ask. Hungarians will appreciate that you want to pay close attention.

Here are some common phone phrases in Hungarian you might use when asking for clarification:

Elnézést, de nehezen hallom / hallak. Szerintem rossz a vonal. Megismételné / megismételnéd, kérem / kérlek?
“I’m sorry, but I’m having a hard time hearing you. I think there’s a bad connection. Could you repeat that, please?”

Lebetűzné / lebetűznéd a nevét / nevedet, kérem / kérlek? Nem értettem jól.
“Could you spell your name, please? I didn’t understand it well.”

Csak hogy biztosra menjek, hogy jól hallottam / hallottalak…
“Just to make sure I heard you correctly…”

Mit mondtál?
“What did you say?”

That last one is an informal way of asking what the other person said if you didn’t hear them clearly.

A Man in a Blue Shirt Wearing Glasses is on a Landline Phone and Taking Notes in an Office

8. Ending the Phone Call

At the end of each call, we say goodbye to the other party and hang up, right? Right. So, here are a few simple Hungarian phone call phrases for ending a call:

Tudok még valamiben segíteni (Önnek / neked)?
“Can I help you with anything else?”

Önnek (formal “to you”) or neked (the informal version) are not necessary in this Hungarian phone call phrase. You could choose to include one of them, but the sentence is grammatically correct without them. 

Sokat segített / segítettél. Köszönöm!
“You’ve helped a lot. Thank you.”

Akkor szombat nyolckor találkozunk.
“See you at eight o’clock on Saturday, then.”

Legyen szép napja / napod!
“Have a nice day.”

9. Sample Phone Conversations

Now that you have some useful phrases up your sleeve, it’s time to see how a typical phone call in Hungary might sound. Below, you’ll find two sample phone conversations: one casual and one formal. 

Informal conversation

This informal Hungarian phone call is a casual conversation between two friends who are setting up a time to meet for brunch on a weekend.

A:
Haló?
“Hello?”

B:
Szia, Kata! Áron vagyok. Hogy vagy?
“Hi, Kate. This is Aron. How are you?”

A:
Jól vagyok, köszi. És te? Olyan jó hallani felőled!
“I’m good, thanks. And you? It’s so good to hear from you.”

B:
Én is jól vagyok. Arra gondoltam, elmehetnénk villásreggelizni valamikor. Mit gondolsz?
“I’m good, too. I was thinking we could have brunch some day. What do you think?”

A:
Királyul hangzik! Mondjuk a Best Bistroba?
“That sounds awesome. How about Best Bistro?”

B:
Persze. Ráérsz most szombaton, mondjuk délelőtt tizenegykor?
“Sure. Are you free this Saturday, let’s say at eleven a.m?”

A:
Igen, menjünk!
“Yes, let’s go.”

B:
Remek! Foglalok asztalt. Akkor majd találkozunk!
“Great. I’ll make the reservation. See you then.”

A:
Tökéletes! Rendben, majd találkozunk!
“Perfect. Alright, see you.”


A Man Is Sitting on the Couch Making a Phone Call

Formal conversation

After they’ve set the time and place, one of the friends calls the restaurant to reserve a table.

A:
Jónapot! Best Bistro étterem. Miben segíthetek?
“Hello, this is the Best Bistro restaurant. How may I help you?”

B:
Jónapot! Két főre szeretnék asztalt foglalni, Kovács Áron névre.
“Hello, I’d like to make a table reservation for two under the name of Aron Smith.”

A:
Természetesen. Mikor számíthatunk Önökre?
“Of course, sir. When can we expect you?”

B:
Most szombaton, délelőtt 11 órakor, ha lehetséges.
“This Saturday, at eleven a.m. if it’s possible.”

A:
Persze, vannak szabad asztalaink arra az időpontra. Szeretné, ha billiárdasztalt is foglalnék Önöknek?
“Sure, we have free tables at that time. Would you like me to reserve one of our pool tables for you, too?”

B:
Nem, köszönöm!
“No, thank you.”

A:
Rendben. Segíthetek még valamiben?
“Alright. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

B:
Nem, köszönöm, ez minden!
“No, thank you, that’d be all.”

A:
Rendben. Szép napot, uram!
“Alright. Have a nice day, sir.”

B:
Köszönöm, Önnek is!
“Thank you, you too.”


A Couple Having a Date in a Fancy Restaurant with Palm Trees in the Background

10. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Hungarian Learning Goals

So, do phone calls in Hungarian still seem scary? Or do you feel more confident and prepared now?

We hope this article will help you in the long run and that you’ll be able to handle any future phone calls with ease. You now know the most practical phrases for answering the phone, stating your purpose for calling, getting to the right person, leaving a message, and ending the phone call. You’ve also seen how these phrases might sound in the context of real-life phone calls. 

If you still feel a bit shy about making phone calls in Hungarian, remember that practice makes perfect. There’s no shame in going over the conversation in your head before making the call. Plus, if you need any help with grammar, expressions, or anything else, the HungarianPod101 team will always be there for you. Never forget that.

Before you go: What are the different ways to introduce yourself when answering the phone in Hungarian? Write at least one way below in the comments.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

200+ Basic Hungarian Words for Beginners

Thumbnail

So, you’ve just started learning Hungarian. Congratulations! 

Are you feeling excited? Confident? Or maybe a bit nervous and overwhelmed?

That would be entirely understandable. When you decide to pick up a foreign language, it can be difficult to know where you should start. 

But luckily for you, HungarianPod101.com has your back! 

In this article, you’ll find 200+ basic Hungarian words for beginners. Memorizing these words will give you a solid vocabulary base to build upon, which will be super-important once you start trying to form sentences. 

We’ve collected only the most common Hungarian words for beginners, so you won’t have to bother with words that are too advanced or not very useful. We’ve even categorized them to make your studying process even smoother. Below, you’ll find all of the Hungarian vocabulary basics: pronouns, numbers, nouns, adjectives, and conjunctions. 

Let’s get right to it, then!

Hungarian Parliament at Night
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Pronouns
  2. Numbers
  3. Nouns
  4. Verbs
  5. Adjectives
  6. Conjunctions
  7. Other Hungarian Beginner Words
  8. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Reach Your Hungarian Learning Goals

1. Pronouns

The first set of Hungarian beginner words you should study are the pronouns. You’ll need these little words in order to form just about any sentence, so let’s kick off our list with these essential Hungarian words.

Pronouns can be used to represent a subject or an object within a sentence, and different types of pronouns are used for different purposes. Here, we’re going to introduce the personal (nominative + accusative), demonstrative, and interrogative pronouns.


Personal Pronouns (Nominative)

EnglishHungarian
IÉn
You [singular]Te
He / She / ItŐ / Az
WeMi
You [plural]Ti
TheyŐk

Example:

  • Mi sosem alszunk. – “We never sleep.”

Personal Pronouns (Accusative)

EnglishHungarian
MeEngem
You [singular]Téged
Him / Her / ItŐt / Azt
UsMinket / Bennünket
You [plural]Titeket / Benneteket
ThemŐket

Example:

  • Szeretném (őt) randira hívni. – “I would like to ask her on a date.”

Demonstrative Pronouns

EnglishHungarian
ThisEz
ThatAz
TheseEzek
ThoseAzok

Example:

  • Azok a macskák nagyon aranyosak. – “Those cats are really cute.”

Interrogative Pronouns / Question Words

EnglishHungarian
WhatMi
WhoKi
To whomKinek
WhyMiért
WhereHol
WhenMikor
For whatMinek

Example:

  • Ki mondta ezt neked? – “Who told you this?”
Colorful Subject and Object Pronouns in English against a Blue Background

2. Numbers

Another important aspect of the Hungarian language for beginners to grasp is the number system. Thankfully, numbers in Hungarian are not as difficult as those in French, for example, where eighty is expressed as “four times twenty.”

We’ve listed the numbers 1-10 in Hungarian below. If you want to learn even more numbers along with their pronunciation, you can check out our Numbers vocabulary list. 

“One” – Egy                                                              “Six” – Hat

“Two” – Kettő                                                             “Seven” – Hét

“Three” – Három                                                        “Eight” – Nyolc

“Four” – Négy                                                            “Nine” – Kilenc

“Five” – Öt                                                                  “Ten” – Tíz

Numbers on the Keyboard of a Laptop

3. Nouns

Once you have the pronouns and numbers down, you should focus your attention on memorizing as many nouns as possible. Below, we’ve listed several Hungarian nouns for beginners and categorized them according to topic; you’ll find frequently used words for family, work, and more! Learning these will give you a strong vocabulary base and prepare you to start forming basic sentences. 

Family

“Mom” – Anya                                                               “Grandparent” – Nagyszülő

“Dad” – Apa                                                                   “Grandma” – Nagymama / Nagyi

“Sibling” – Testvér                                                          “Grandpa” – Nagypapa / Papó

“Sister” – Lánytestvér                                                     “Uncle” – Nagybácsi

“Little sister” – Húg

“Big sister” – Nővér

“Brother” – Fiútestvér

“Little brother” – Öccs

“Big brother” – Báty                                                          “Aunt” – Nagynéni

“Cousin” – Unokatestvér                                                   “Godparent” – Keresztszülő

Occupations

“Police officer” – Rendőr                                                    “Teacher” – Tanár

“Fireman” – Tűzoltó                                                           “Translator” – Fordító

“Cook” – Szakács                                                              “Interpreter” – Tolmács

“Engineer” – Mérnök                                                          “Locksmith” – Lakatos

“Doctor” – Orvos / Doktor                                                    “Painter” – Festő

Men and Women of Different Occupations are Standing in a Line with Arms Crossed in Front of a Blue Background

Places Around Town

“Hospital” – Kórház                                                         “Hair salon” – Fodrászat

“School” – Iskola                                                             “Beauty salon” – Kozmetika

“Kindergarten” – Óvoda                                                   “Bank” – Bank

“Library” – Könyvtár                                                         “Pharmacy” – Gyógyszertár

“Supermarket” – Szupermarket                                        “Market” – Piac

“Bakery” – Pékség                                                           “Restaurant” – Étterem

“Bus station” – Buszállomás                                            “Police station” – Rendőrség

School/Office Essentials

“Pen” – Toll                                                                      “Rubber” – Radír

“Pencil” – Ceruza                                                            “Sharpener” – Hegyező

“Paper” – Papír                                                                “Ruler” – Vonalzó

“Stapler” – Tűzőgép                                                         “Glue” – Ragasztó

“Notebook” – Jegyzetfüzet                                               “Sellotape” – Cellux (szalag)

“Folder” – Dosszié                                                           “Computer” – Számítógép

“Student book” – Tankönyv                                              “Laptop” – Laptop

“Exercise book” – Munkafüzet                                         “Printer” – Nyomtató

“Pencil case” – Tolltartó                                                   “File cabinet” – Iratszekrény

“Highlighter” – Szövegkiemelő                                         “Paper shredder” – Iratmegsemmisítő

Body Parts

“Head” – Fej                                                                     “Eye” – Szem

“Neck” – Nyak                                                                  “Eyebrow” – Szemöldök

“Body” – Test                                                                    “Eyelash” – Szempilla

“Torso” – Törzs                                                                 “Nose” – Orr

“Leg” – Láb                                                                       “Mouth” – Száj

“Arm” – Kar                                                                      “Tooth” – Fog

“Hand” – Kéz                                                                    “Lip” – Ajak

“Finger” – Ujj                                                                    “Chin” – Áll

“Toe” – Lábujj                                                                    “Ear” – Fül

And a couple of cheeky ones:

“Butt” – Fenék                                                                   “Boob” – Mell

Food

“Vegetable” – Zöldség                                                        “Fruit” – Gyümölcs

“Carrot” – Répa                                                                  “Blueberry” – Áfonya

“Tomato” – Paradicsom                                                      “Strawberry” – Eper

“Potato” – Krumpli / Burgonya                                             “Orange” – Narancs

“Salad” – Saláta                                                                  “Lemon” – Citrom

“Cabbage” – Káposzta                                                         “Banana” – Banán

“Milk” – Tej                                                                           “Egg” – Tojás

“Tea” – Tea                                                                          “Yogurt” – Joghurt

“Water” – Víz                                                                       “Cheese” – Sajt

“Cocoa” – Kakaó                                                                 “Oat” – Zab

“Chicken” – Csirke                                                              “Pork” – Sertés

“Lamb” – Bárány                                                                 “Duck” – Kacsa

“Beef” – Marha                                                                   “Fish” – Hal

“Salmon” – Lazac                                                               “Shrimp” – Garnéla(rák)

Image of Different Foods: Strawberries, Shrimps, Kiwis, Eggs, Milk, Chocolate, etc.

4. Verbs

Verbs are another essential set of Hungarian beginner words to pick up early on. They serve a vital function in sentences, so we’ve made sure to include only the most useful verbs on our list. Below, the verbs are divided into two categories: 1) verbs you might use to describe your daily routine, and 2) other common verbs you should learn as a beginner in Hungarian. 

Daily Routine

“Wake up” – Felébredni                                                         “Work” – Dolgozni

“Get up” – Felkelni                                                                 “Study” – Tanulni

“Brush teeth” – Fogat mosni                                                  “Drive” – Vezetni

Have breakfast” – Reggelizni                                                “Travel” – Utazni

“Have lunch” – Ebédelni                                                         “Wash hands” – Kezet mosni

“Have dinner” – Vacsorázni                                                     “Commute” – Ingázni

“Get ready” – Elkészülni                                                          “Pay” – Fizetni

“Get dressed” – Felöltözni                                                       “Buy” – Vásárolni / Venni

“Eat” – Enni                                                                              “Greet” – Üdvözölni

“Drink” – Inni                                                                             “Talk” – Beszélni

“Go” – Menni                                                                            “Have a conversation” – Beszélgetni

“Come” – Jönni                                                                        “Shake hands” – Kezetrázni

Other Common Verbs

“Give” – Adni                                                                             “Speak” – Beszélni

“Get” / “Receive” – Kapni                                                           “Cry” – Sírni

“Do” – Csinálni                                                                           “Bake” – Sütni

“Make” – Készíteni                                                                     “Cook” – Főzni

“Let” – Hagyni                                                                             “Learn” – Tanulni

“Ask” – Kérdezni                                                                          “Wait” – Várni

“Answer” – Válaszolni                                                                 “Queue” – Sorban állni

“Search” – Keresni                                                                      “Wave” – Integetni

“Find” – Találni                                                                             “Nod” – Bólintani

“Smile” – Mosolyogni                                                                   “Love” – Imádni

“Laugh” – Nevetni                                                                        “Like” – Szeretni

“Laugh out loud” – Röhögni                                                           “Hate” – Utálni

A Young Woman Lying on the Floor with Her Head on a Pillow and Her Eyes Covered

5. Adjectives

Even though adjectives are not required in a sentence, grammatically speaking, it’s nice to know some of them in case you ever want to describe something.

For example, let’s say you meet a beautiful girl or a handsome guy at a bar in Hungary. Well, what would you say to them if you had no adjectives to fall back on? Tough question, right? Well, no need to worry, because we have got you covered.

Below, you’ll find the most practical adjectives in Hungarian for beginners. These words are commonly used amongst Hungarians and are rather simple to pick up, so you’ll have little problem composing basic sentences. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even make that person you laid eyes on swoon. 😉 

Describing Objects

“Big” – Nagy                                                                    “Thick” – Vastag

“Small” – Kicsi                                                                 “Thin” – Vékony

“Long” – Hosszú                                                              “Sharp” – Éles

“Short” – Rövid                                                                “Hard” – Kemény

“Medium” – Közepes                                                        “Soft” – Puha

Describing People

“Pretty” – Csinos                                                                “Slim” – Vékony

“Handsome” – Helyes / Jóképű                                          “Obese” – Túlsúlyos

“Stylish” – Divatos                                                               “Kind” – Kedves

“Tall” – Magas                                                                      “Smart” – Okos

“Short” – Alacsony                                                                “Silly” – Buta

Describing Emotions

“Happy” – Boldog                                                                 “Scared” – Ijedt

“Sad” – Szomorú                                                                  “Tired” – Fáradt

“Excited” – Izgatott                                                                “Longing” – Vágyakozó

“Indifferent” – Közömbös                                                        “Hopeful” – Reménykedő

“Angry” – Mérges                                                                    “Disgusted” – Undorodó

Describing the Weather

“Sunny” – Napos                                                                       “Windy” – Szeles

“Rainy” – Esős                                                                          “Cloudy” – Felhős

“Hot” – Forró                                                                              “Foggy” – Ködös

“Warm” – Meleg                                                                        “Stormy” – Viharos

“Cold” – Hideg                                                                           “Clear” – Tiszta

A Storm Building Over a Green Field

6. Conjunctions

Conjunctions are a crucial part of any language, serving to connect two or more words, phrases, or sentences (both grammatically and logically). These essential Hungarian beginner words will help the listener better comprehend your message by allowing them to see the connections between different points. 

“And” – És                                                                                   “So” – Szóval

“But” – De                                                                                   “After” – Miután

“Although” – Ám / Azonban                                                         “Even though” – Habár

“Then” – Aztán                                                                             “Lest” – Nehogy

“Because” – Mert                                                                          “Nor” – Sem

7. Other Hungarian Beginner Words

Last but not least, auxiliaries are another key set of words that Hungarian beginners should learn early on. See the examples below for a better idea of what they are and how they’re used. 

“Will” – Fog ➤ “I will tell you.” – El fogom mondani neked.

“Dare” – Mer ➤ “I dare to tell you.” – El merem mondani neked.

“May” – Szabad ➤ “I may tell you.” – El szabad mondanom neked.

“Have to” – Kell ➤ “I have to tell you.” – El kell mondanom neked.

“Can” – Tud ➤ “I can tell you.” – El tudom mondani neked.

“Manage” – Sikerül ➤ “I managed to tell you.” – El sikerült mondanom neked.

8. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Reach Your Hungarian Learning Goals

If you’ve made it this far, it means you’ve familiarized yourself with the most useful Hungarian beginner words. By now, you probably know…

  • personal and demonstrative pronouns.
  • how to count to (at least) ten.
  • …the most basic nouns, verbs, and adjectives in a variety of categories. 
  • …the most important conjunctions and auxiliaries for conversations. 

How many of these words were new to you? Did you know some of them already? Let us know in the comments! 

If you found this list a bit overwhelming, it’s nothing to be ashamed or discouraged about. The most important thing is to keep practicing until it sticks! 

This is where HungarianPod101 comes in. 

We provide a range of study materials and practical exercises for learners, including an entire series of Hungarian lessons for beginners. You’ll also find free vocabulary lists, a Hungarian dictionary, a voice recording tool, and much more! When you become a member, you not only gain access to some of the best Hungarian language learning resources on the web, but you also join an entire community of dedicated teachers and other learners like yourself. 

If you’re thirsty for more, let us know in the comments so that we can address the issue in our next article. And in the meantime, continue exploring our website or take some time to click through the educational links throughout this article. 

What are you waiting for? Join now.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

The 10 Most Common Hungarian Filler Words

Thumbnail

Have you ever been lost for words or needed extra time to think about what to say? We’ve all been there. 

Those natural pauses in conversation can easily become awkward or uncomfortable, though, which is where filler words come in. These are small words, expressions, or sounds that we use to “fill” those pauses in order to keep the conversation flowing and veil our momentary lapse. 

Each spoken language has its own unique filler words. You’re probably familiar with fillers like “well,” “you know,” and “ehm” in English, but did you know that learning Hungarian filler words can greatly enhance your conversation skills as a student of the language? 

In this article, HungarianPod101 will discuss fillers in more detail, introduce you to the top 10 Hungarian filler words, and teach you how to use them correctly. 

Ehm, like, shall we get started then?

Letters Coming Out of a Man’s Mouth While a Woman Tries to Understand What He’s Saying
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. What are filler words and why do we use them?
  2. The Top 10 Hungarian Fillers
  3. Pros and Cons of Hungarian Filler Words
  4. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Learning Goals

1. What are filler words and why do we use them?

Filler words are short, meaningless words or sounds we use in spoken language to fill in the silence during our conversations or speeches.

The most common linguistic function of filler words—also called “hesitation markers”—is to signal that we’re not done speaking yet. This is useful for when we need to pause and think about what to say next, as it lets the other person know not to interrupt. 

You can find filler words in writing as well, though they tend to serve different functions. This is because, in writing, you are the only “speaker” and no one will cut you off. You simply keep writing. Fillers used in writing are more likely to serve as connecting, transitioning, or “softening” words. Here are some examples: 

  • alapvetően – “basically” 
  • igazából – “actually” 
  • említenem sem kell, hogy… – “needless to say that…” [Lit. “I don’t even have to mention it…”]

Expanding upon what we’ve covered so far, there are six main uses for filler words

1) Pausing to give the speaker time to gather their thoughts
2) Speaking more indirectly in order to be polite
3) Approaching delicate/awkward topics gently
4) Emphasizing ideas
5) Providing clues about emotions or behaviors
6) Communicating uncertainty

Another note: 

Be careful not to mix filler words with unprofessional expressions such as “thingamajig” or “whatshisface,” as this can cause you to lose credibility in others’ eyes. 

Now that you know what filler words are, you’re ready to start learning and practicing Hungarian filler words.

A Woman Sitting on the Ground, Holding a Speech Bubble

2. The Top 10 Hungarian Fillers

In Hungarian, a “filler word” is called töltelékszó. Broken down:

  • töltelék – “filler”
  • szó – “word”

Easy peasy.

Now, let’s dive in. 

#1 Ööö(m) – “Uhm” / “Uhh”

This is one of the most common Hungarian conversation filler words. The elongated ö sound is pronounced similarly to the English filler “uhh” (or “uhm” when the m sound is produced). Keep in mind that it’s important for the Hungarian version to be elongated; a short ö sound would be interpreted as meaning the letter itself. 

Ööö is most commonly used during school or work presentations, during which the speaker must continue for some time. This requires a structured train of thought, but it’s easy to get so caught up in your own presentation that you get carried away and need time to think about your next point. In this case, the filler ööö could be used to link two parts of your presentation together. 

Of course, you can also use this Hungarian filler in your day-to-day conversations. 

The most important thing in any context is not to overuse it! Your audience may become distracted—or even annoyed—if they hear you using it every five seconds. 

A: Tudod hova megyek ezen a hétvégén? – “Do you know where I’m going this weekend?”
B: Ööö, a Kanári-szigetekre? – “Ehm, to the Canary Islands?”
  • ez – “this”
  • hétvége – “weekend”
  • Kanári-szigetek – “Canary Islands”

#2 Hát / Nos – “Well”

In English, the word “well” is often used as a filler at the beginning of a sentence. It can denote hesitation or serve as a transition from one topic to another. The Hungarian filler words hát and nos are used in much the same way. 

Hát literally means “back” in English (yes, as in the body part). It’s normally used to indicate that the speaker is about to share their decision about something, especially if their answer is “no.” It’s often elongated to hááát in this case. 

A: Jössz a ma esti buliba? – “Are you coming to the party tonight?
B: Hááát, elég sok dolgom van. Szerintem most kihagyom. – “Well, I have a lot of work to do. I think I’ll skip it this time.”
  • jönni – “to come”
  • buli – “party”
  • ma este – “tonight”
  • sok – “a lot of”
  • munka / dolog – “work”
  • kihagyni – “to skip”

The Hungarian filler word nos has a slightly different nuance. As we said above, hát is used to introduce a decision; nos can be used when you haven’t decided yet.

A: Jössz a ma esti buliba? – “Are you coming to the party tonight?”
B: Nos, még nem volt időm gondolkodni rajta. Még átgondolom. – “Well, I haven’t had time to think about it. I’ll consider it.”
  • átgondolni – “to consider”

#3 Izé / Úgy értem – “I mean”

Izé literally means “thingy” in English, while úgy értem is the literal translation of “I mean.”

These Hungarian filler words—especially the very informal izé—are used mostly in common speech as explanatory phrases. Here’s what we mean:

Nem mondtam neki semmit. Úgy értem, akartam volna, de túl szégyenlős voltam. “I didn’t say anything to him. I mean, I wanted to but I was too shy.”
  • mondani – “to say”
  • semmi – “anything”
  • akarni – “to want”
  • túl – “too”
  • Szégyenlős / félénk – “shy”

An Asian Woman Who Is Feeling Shy about Something
Nem hiszem, hogy olyan jól áll neked ez a szín. *rosszalló pillantást kap* Izé, káprázatosan nézel ki! “I don’t think that color suits you that much. *gets death look* I mean, you look gorgeous.”
  • szín – “color”
  • állni – “to suit”
  • rosszalló pillantás – “death look”
  • kinézni – “to look”
  • káprázatos – “gorgeous”

Psst! Make sure to see our lesson Giving Your Opinion in Hungarian to learn the most useful phrases and expressions for doing so politely. 

#4 Szóval – “So”

The Hungarian filler word szóval is normally used at the beginning of a sentence, though it’s not uncommon to encounter it in the middle instead. When used in the middle of a sentence, it links together two clauses or lines of thought.

A: Szóval, hova szeretnél enni menni? – “So, where would you like to go eat?”
B: Nem tudom, szóval mi lenne, ha te döntenél? – “I don’t know, so…how about you decide?”
  • hova – “where”
  • menni – “to go”
  • enni – “to eat”
  • tudni – “to know”
  • dönteni – “to decide”

Now that we’ve covered a few useful Hungarian filler words, let’s look at some that have very little linguistic value… 

#5 Azt mondja, hogy… – “It says that…”

This filler does not have an exact equivalent in English, so we’ve just included the mirror translation.

This expression has literally zero meaning or value. We use it to gain time, like when we’re searching through an encyclopedia or phone book for someone, and it’s taking us a while to find what we need. 

A: Mikor tudunk együtt ebédelni? – “When can we have lunch together?”
B: Hadd nézzem meg a naptáram! Azt mondja, hogy… kedden szabad vagyok. Az jó lehet? – “Let me check my calendar. It says… I’m free on Tuesday. Could that work?”
  • ebéd – “lunch”
  • együtt – “together”
  • megnézni / ellenőrizni – “to check”
  • kedd – “Tuesday”
  • működni – “to work”

Learn all about Talking About Days in Hungarian and Talking About Your Plans!

A Man with Glasses and a Blue Shirt Speaking, with Letters Coming Out of His Mouth

#6 Ha úgy tetszik – “If you like”

This Hungarian filler is quite basic and adds no actual meaning to your core message. It’s just used for emphasis. 

Ha úgy tetszik, elmehetünk nyaralni idén nyáron.
“We could go on a vacation this summer if you like.”
  • nyaralás – “vacation”
  • idén nyár – “this summer”

As you can see, it would be adequate to use this sentence without the filler.

Elhívhatod megint randira, ha úgy tetszik, de nemet fog mondani. Barátja van.
“You can ask her out again if you like, but she is going to say no. She has a boyfriend.”
randira hívni – “to ask out”
barát / pasi – “boyfriend”

#7 Mármint – “Like”

This Hungarian filler word probably has even less value than the previous one (just like its counterpart in English, to be fair).

Its one redeeming factor is that it can help with sentence flow; using it allows you to pause and think for a second without your speech being interrupted. But honestly, most people just use it out of habit so that they have something to say mid-sentence. 

Nem tetszett a könyv, amit adtál. Mármint, nem hiszem, hogy ez a műfaj nekem való.“I didn’t like the book you gave me. Like, I don’t think this genre is for me.”

tetszeni – “to like”könyv – “book”adni – “to give”műfaj – “genre”

#8 Úgymond – “So to speak”

Yet another Hungarian filler used only to literally fill (either the silence or your sentence).

Ezzel a hidratálókrémmel úgymond újjászületik a bőröd.“With this moisturizer, your skin is reborn, so to speak.”

hidratálókrém – “moisturizer”újjászületni – “to be reborn”

#9 Tulajdonképpen – “Actually” 

Tulajdonképpen én már hallottam erről a filmről. Azt mondják, jó.“Actually, I have heard of this movie. They say it’s good.”

hallani – “to hear”film – “movie” – “good”

#10 Végül is – “After all”

Végül is will be the perfect conclusion to our list of filler words in Hungarian. This filler functions like the English phrase “after all” but means something closer to “in the end.”

A: Használhatom ezt a gépet? – “Can I use this machine?”

B: Persze, végül is már befejeztem az edzésemet. – “Sure, after all, I’ve already finished my training.”

használni – “to use”
gép – “machine”
persze – “sure”
befejezni – “to finish”
edzés – “training”
A Woman in a Checkered Shirt and Glasses Holding an iPad

3. Pros and Cons of Hungarian Filler Words

PROS:

  • They help you keep your train of thought.
  • They help your speech sound more fluent.
  • They make you appear more laid-back and down-to-earth.

CONS:

  • They are colloquial.
  • Their overuse can annoy others or distract from your message. 
  • They might make you seem dishonest.

4. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Learning Goals 

So, how do you feel now? Relieved? 

We hope you’re feeling ready to take on some Hungarian conversations! Instead of stressing over what to say next, you can throw in one of the Hungarian fillers you’ve learned today

However, bear in mind that using them is rather colloquial. Whenever you can, try to avoid them. They should only be used to help you keep your line of thought and to make your speech more fluent. Still, it’s better to be prepared than scared. 

Also, don’t forget that you can turn to us with any questions or suggestions, because HungarianPod101 is a big family of language learners and professional teachers helping each other out. You can get started by checking out our vocabulary lists and other free materials, but it’s best to join our community and gain access to our language lessons. We provide content ranging from Absolute Beginner to Advanced in order to maximize your Hungarian learning potential.

Before you go, don’t forget to comment below with your favorite Hungarian filler word. 

Happy Hungarian language learning!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

30+ Phrases to Express Your Love in Hungarian

Thumbnail

We’ve all been in love, right? 

In relationships, it’s crucial to express your emotions and to let the other party know how you feel about them. 

But what if that other party happens to be a fine Hungarian man or woman? The last thing you want to do is let that gorgeous human you just spotted at a party get away. 

Saying the right words at the right time is key, but this can be difficult enough in your native language—let alone a foreign one like Hungarian! 

In this article, we’ll introduce you to various Hungarian phrases about love. You’ll learn how to flirt and express your initial affection, the best ways to say “I love you,” in Hungarian, and several handy Hungarian dating phrases. We’ll even get you ready to ask that fine snack to marry you! As a bonus, you’ll find several meaningful love quotes in Hungarian at the end of this article. 

By the time you finish reading, you’ll be able to flirt with any Hungarian coming your way. What’s more, you’ll be able to make them swoon! 

Ready to learn the best Hungarian love phrases? Love waits for no one, so let’s get started.

A Happy Couple Is Seen Laughing; The Man Is in a Blue Shirt, the Woman Is Wearing a Cardigan and Holding a Purse
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Confess Your Affection: Pick-up Lines & More
  2. Fall in Deeper: “I Love You,” & More
  3. Take it One Step Further: “Will You Marry Me?” & More
  4. Endearment Terms
  5. Bonus: Must-know Love Quotes
  6. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Learning Goals

1. Confess Your Affection: Pick-up Lines & More

There are several stages of love, right? One does not ask a person to marry them after like two hours of having known each other (okay, maybe in extreme cases, but that is not the norm…). First, you express your affection to the other party, then you might flirt a little, and you might eventually go on dates with this person. And only after that does a relationship start to become more serious. 

In this section, we’re going to introduce you to the most common Hungarian flirting phrases so that you can be prepared for courting. We’ll also show you some useful phrases you can try on your first date! 


A- Compliments

#1 “You are beautiful.” / Gyönyörű vagy.

  • “beautiful” – gyönyörű 

#2 “I love your smile.” / Imádom a mosolyod.

  • “to love” – imádni, szeretni
  • “smile” – mosoly

#3 “You are pretty.” / Csinos vagy.

  • “pretty” – csinos

#4 “You are handsome.” / Helyes vagy.

  • “handsome” – helyes, jóképű 

#5 “I like you a lot.” / Nagyon tetszel.

  • “to like” – kedvelni, tetszeni 

B- Asking Him / Her Out

#6 “Would you go out with me?” / Eljönnél velem randizni?

  • “to go out” – randizni 

#7 “Can I buy you a drink?” / Meghívhatlak egy italra?

  • “to buy” – venni (literal meaning)
  • “to invite/offer” – meghívni 
  • “drink” – ital

C- Cheesy Pick-up Lines

#8 “Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?” / Fájt, amikor leestél a Mennyből?

  • “to hurt” – fájni
  • “to fall” – esni
  • “Heaven” – Menny 

#9 “Hey, kitty. Do you have an owner?” / Szia, cica! Van gazdád?

  • “kitty” – cica
  • “owner” – gazda

#10 “I lost my number. Will you give me yours?” / Elhagytam a telefonszámomat. Megadod a tiédet?

  • “(phone) number” – (telefon)szám 
  • “yours” – tiéd 

Would you like some additional phrases for expressing your interest or making plans for a date? HungarianPod101 has you covered!

A Couple in a Fancy Restaurant on a Date with Palm Trees in the Background

2. Fall in Deeper: “I Love You,” & More

One of the first words people learn in any language is the word for “love.” In Hungarian, there are two different words you can use: 

  • Szerelem refers to the connection between two people. 
  • Szerelmem translates to “my love” in Hungarian, and it refers to the person whom you love.

So, how do you say “I love you,” in Hungarian and further express your adoration? 

There are several Hungarian love phrases you can begin using once your relationship becomes more intimate. If you’re ready to go all-in and say those three big words (or, in Hungarian, that one big word—you’ll see what we mean), you can use any of the following love phrases in Hungarian to make your move. 

Note: Read through these carefully. We have a question for you at the end of this section! 

#11 “I’m crazy about you.” / Megőrülök érted.

  • “crazy” – őrült 

#12 “I miss you.” / Hiányzol.

  • “to miss” – hiányolni

#13 “I’m only thinking about you.” / Csak rád gondolok.

  • “to think” – gondol(kod)ni

#14 “I want you here and now.” / Itt és most akarlak.

  • “to want” – akarni
  • “here” – itt
  • “now” – most

#15 “I love you.” / Szeretlek.

See? What takes English three words to say takes Hungarian only one. This is due to the use of suffixes and conjugation in Hungarian, which lets us express the person and number with no additional words.

#16 “I love you very much.” / Nagyon szeretlek.

  • “very” – nagyon 

#17 “I love you too.” / Én is szeretlek.

#18 “I’m in love with you.” / Szerelmes vagyok beléd.

#19 “I can’t imagine my life without you.” / Nem tudom nélküled elképzelni az életemet.

  • “to imagine” – elképzelni 
  • “life” – élet 
  • “without” – nélkül

#20 “I want to grow old with you.” / Veled akarok megöregedni.

  • “to want” – akarni 
  • “to get old” – megöregedni 
  • “old” – öreg

Like English, Hungarian distinguishes between feeling “love” and being “in love.” 

Now, here’s our question for you: 

How do you say “love” in Hungarian? 

Give us the answer for the connection and for the person whom you love. Good luck!

A Couple is Playing Video Games; The Girl Has Won, the Guy Is Grumpy

3. Take it One Step Further: “Will You Marry Me?” & More

Nope, we haven’t forgotten about the “upper levels” that come afterwards. We’ve got you covered for all scenarios featuring you and your significant other. Just watch.

Now that you’ve been hitting your partner with the coolest Hungarian love phrases and have started building a stronger connection, they’ve officially fallen for you. It might be time to kick things up a notch.

You might consider moving in together, going on your first trip, or even getting married. Lucky you! To give you a hand, we’ve compiled the perfect love phrases for him/her in Hungarian.

#21 “I’d like you to meet my friends.” / Szeretném, ha megismernéd a barátaimat.

  • “to meet” – találkozni
  • “friend” – barát

#22 “Are you ready to meet my parents?” / Kész vagy találkozni a szüleimmel?

  • “to be ready” – kész lenni, készen állni
  • “parent” – szülő

#23 “Let’s go on a holiday together.” / Menjünk el nyaralni együtt!

  • “holiday” – nyaralás
  • “together” – együtt
  • “Let’s go!” – Menjünk!

#24 “Do you want to move in together with me?” / Szeretnél velem összeköltözni?

  • “to want” – akarni, szeretni
  • “to move” – költözni
  • “to move in together” – összeköltözni

#25 “Will you marry me?” / Hozzám jössz feleségül?

  • “to marry someone” – hozzámenni valakihez
  • “wife” – feleség

#26 “Let’s throw an engagement party.” / Dobjunk egy eljegyzési bulit!

  • “to throw (a party)” – dobni, tartani
  • “engagement” – eljegyzés
  • “party” – buli, parti

#27 “Let’s get married.” / Házasodjunk össze!

#28 “We should buy a house together.” / Vennünk kellene közösen egy házat.

  • “house” – ház

#29 “I’d like to have a baby with you.” / Babát szeretnék veled.

  • “baby” – baba

#30 “I think I’m pregnant.” / Azt hiszem, terhes vagyok.

  • /”pregnant” – terhes
  • “to think” – gondolni, hinni

#31 “I’m so happy that we’re going to be parents.” / Olyan boldog vagyok, hogy szülők leszünk!

  • “happy” – boldog

A Newlywed Couple on the Beach

4. Endearment Terms

Now that we’ve covered the major stages of a romantic relationship, it’s time to go over some Hungarian terms of endearment. For most people, endearing nicknames are crucial in a relationship, and Hungarians are no exception. 

Below, you’ll find several cute nicknames you can use with your new Hungarian boyfriend or girlfriend. Note that English has many endearment terms with a counterpart in Hungarian, which should make choosing your favorite one a bit easier! 

  • honey / sweetieédesem
    • Since there is no specific Hungarian word for “sweetheart,” you could use édesem for that too.
  • baby / babebaba, bébi
  • my loveszerelmem
    • For example: “Goodnight, my love,” in Hungarian would look like this: Jó éjt/éjszakát, szerelmem!
  • my heartszívem
  • my precious drágám
  • my treasurekincsem
  • my shortiekicsim
  • my kittycicám
  • my bugbogaram
  • bunny nyuszi
  • “hubby” – férjecském

An Old Couple Dancing; The Woman Is in a Red Dress, the Man Is Wearing a Suit and a Tie

5. Bonus: Must-know Love Quotes

In this section, we’ve collected a few Hungarian love quotes from famous Hungarian people, such as poets and writers. And we’re not going to lie, they had some very interesting insights about love and what it can “do” to people. Let’s see what thoughts and ideas they shared about love.

“What is real love?
When words between two people have the same meaning.”
– Sándor Kopátsy

Mi az igazi szerelem?
Mikor a szavak két ember között azonos értelmet nyernek.
Kopátsy Sándor

“Even the silliness of love is wiser than the knowledge of philosophers.”
– Mór Jókai

A szerelemnek még bolondsága is nagyobb bölcsesség, mint a filozófusok minden tudománya.
Jókai Mór

“It’s not true that love is blind. On the contrary, a lover sees such things in their beloved that others don’t notice.”
– László Feleki

Nem igaz, hogy a szerelem vak. Ellenkezőleg, a szerelmes olyasmiket lát imádottján, amiket más nem vesz észre.
Feleki László

“I don’t know what it is, but it’s really good.
Its hurting is sweet, I let it hurt.
If it’s silly or a mistake, so be it.
If it’s love, please forgive me.”
– Gyula Juhász

Én nem tudom, mi ez, de jó nagyon.
Fájása édes, hadd fájjon, hagyom.
Ha balgaság, ha tévedés, legyen.
Ha szerelem, bocsásd ezt meg nekem!
Juhász Gyula

“I don’t know what I’ve been so far,
Nor – do I know – what I’m going to be;
It depends on you if I’ll be a dark shadow
Or a bright beam.”
Sándor Petőfi

Nem tudom, mi voltam eddig,
Ámde azt sem, mi leszek;
Tőled függ, hogy sötét árnyék
Vagy fényes sugár legyek.
Petőfi Sándor

Make sure to visit our website for even more Hungarian quotes about love

6. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Learning Goals

You’ve reached the end of this article, which means you should now know the most common love phrases in Hungarian. We’ve covered everything from how to flirt to making your marriage proposal, and we’ve also introduced you to cute pet names and sweet love quotes. 

But don’t forget that practice makes perfect. If you want to make that Hungarian boy or girl swoon, you must practice saying these love sentences in Hungarian out loud; you should also practice writing them down in case you feel like writing a love letter to your chosen one.

While studying these Hungarian flirting phrases, keep in mind that HungarianPod101 will always be there for you! We believe that with a supportive group behind you—such as our team and your fellow language learners—there’s nothing you can’t do.

Before you go: How do you say “I love you,” in Hungarian? Let us know below.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

Hungarian Negation: Learn How to Say No!

Thumbnail

Learning how to negate is an essential part of studying a language. How else would you tell your friend that no, you’re not going to do their homework for them? Or tell your grandma that you don’t want any more soup after the third round? 

It’s through negation that we’re able to fully express our emotions, give our honest opinions, and set healthy boundaries. 

In this article, you’ll learn…

  • …how to make negative sentences in Hungarian.
  • …how to give negative responses to questions.
  • …how the double negative in Hungarian works.
  • …some useful words of negation you can start using right away. 

Don’t worry—it’s easy as pie! (That said, you might want to read our article on Hungarian word order before you dig in…)

Asian Woman in Glasses and a Yellow Tee Thinking
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Negating Statements, Questions, and Commands
  2. Giving a Negative Response to a Question
  3. Double Negatives
  4. Other Negating Words and Phrases
  5. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

1. Negating Statements, Questions, and Commands

First, let’s cover the basic Hungarian negation rules and introduce you to the two most important words of negation in Hungarian: ne and nem

A- Statements

To get a better idea of how to make a negative sentence in Hungarian, check out the example below: 

  • Ma este moziba megyek. / “I’m going to the movies tonight.”
  • Ma este nem megyek moziba. / “I’m not going to the movies tonight.”

In Hungarian, the word nem means both “not” and “no.” 

As you probably noticed, making a sentence negative in Hungarian is as simple as adding the word nem before the verb or adjective you wish to negate. Would you have thought Hungarian negation was this easy?

B- Questions

Now, how would you form a negative question or give a negative answer? 

Here’s an example: 

  • Mész ma este moziba? / “Are you going to the movies tonight?”
  • Nem mész ma este moziba? / “Are you not going to the movies tonight?”
  • Nem, nem megyek (ma este moziba). / “No, I’m not going (to the movies tonight).”

As you can see, you simply put the negative word nem at the beginning of a question to make it negative. And to give a negative answer, you use the Hungarian equivalent of “no, I’m not” (nem, nem).

Here are some more examples, this time using the verb félni (to be afraid):

  • Félek az egerektől. / “I’m afraid of mice.”
  • Nem félek az egerektől. / “I’m not afraid of mice.”
  • Félsz az egerektől? / “Are you afraid of mice?”
  • Nem félsz az egerektől? / “Are you not afraid of mice?”
  • Nem, nem félek az egerektől. / “No, I’m not afraid (of mice).”

C- Commands

Now that you know how to form negative statements and questions in Hungarian, let’s talk about how to give negative commands. Here are some examples:

  • Ne érj az állathoz! / “Do not touch the animal.”
  • Ne üljetek oda, gyerekek! / “Do not sit there, children.”
  • Ne mondd ezt! / “Do not say that.”

There are two things you probably noticed:

1) Hungarian commands always end in an exclamation mark (rather than a full stop, like in English).
2) The Hungarian equivalent of “do not” is ne + the conjugated imperative verb.

D- Practice! 

Based on what you’ve learned so far, try to translate and then negate the following sentences in Hungarian:

    ❖ “We are going out to have lunch.” 
    ❖ “Did you write a book?” 
    ❖ “Be afraid of a new language!” 

Write your answers below in the comments section.

Girl in Yellow T-shirt Thinking, Pink Background

2. Giving a Negative Response to a Question

We touched on this briefly in the previous section, but we’ll cover it in greater detail here. This is an important topic, so we want to make sure you really get the hang of it

Here are a few examples for you: 

  • Mérges vagy? / “Are you angry?”
  • Nem, nem vagyok (mérges). / “No, I’m not(angry).”

  • Hoztál esernyőt? / “Did you bring an umbrella?”
  • Nem, nem hoztam (esernyőt). / “No, I did not (bring an umbrella).”

  • Fogsz tanulni holnap? / “Will you study tomorrow?”
  • Nem, nem fogok (tanulni holnap). / “No, I will not (study tomorrow).”

A Ballot with No Marked

3. Double Negatives

Double negatives in Hungarian are not only not ungrammatical—haha—but they’re actually necessary in many negative sentences. This type of sentence is usually formed with a negative word (see them in greater depth in the next section) and nem.

Let’s see a few examples of sentences using double negation in Hungarian:

  • Soha többet nem iszom. / I’ll never drink again.

    This sentence implies that the thing we’re swearing not to do again has just been done. Without többet (“more”) this sentence would be more like a general statement, not a resolution or promise. See:

    Soha nem iszom.
    “I never drink.”

  • Nem parancsol nekem senki. / Nobody gives me orders.

    The two negatives here are nem and senki (“nobody”).

  • Sehol nem maradok sokáig. / I don’t stay anywhere for long.

    Here, the two negative words are nem and sehol (“nowhere”).

    If you were to carry the double negative over into English, this would be like saying: “I don’t stay nowhere for long.” (But, of course, that would be ungrammatical.)

  • Semmit nem ettem még ma. / I haven’t eaten anything today.

    Semmit literally means “nothing.”

  • Soha többet nem leszek alkalmazott. / “I’ll never be an employee again.”
Someone Hand-signaling No to Someone Offering Them a Beer

I never drink.

4. Other Negating Words and Phrases

As you saw in the previous section, double negatives in Hungarian are extremely common (and even necessary in some cases). There are several different negating words and phrases that are used in conjunction with nem to make a sentence negative. 

Here are the most common Hungarian negating words and phrases, along with example sentences. Keep in mind that nem is required for every sentence, except for the first one. 

alig 
barely
Alig ismerlek.
I barely know you.
szinte soha
hardly ever
Szinte soha nem találkozunk.
We hardly ever meet.
soha
never
Soha nem találkozunk.
We never meet.
soha többé
no more
Soha többé nem fogom ezt eltűrni.
I will endure this no more. 
senki
nobody
Senki nem marad délután 5 után.
Nobody stays after 5 o’clock p.m.
sehol
nowhere
Sehol nem találom a szemüvegemet.
My glasses are nowhere to be found.
semelyik…sem
neither…nor
Semelyik nem tetszik, sőt, rám sem jönnek.
Neither of these are to my taste nor do they fit me.
semmikor
never
Neked soha nem jó.
It is never good for you.
semmiért
for nothing
Nem fogok a semmiért dolgozni.
I won’t work for nothing.
senkiért
for nobody
Senkiért nem fogom megégetni magam.
I will do overtime for nobody. 

A Confused Man Scratching His Head

5. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

Now that you’ve learned all about Hungarian negation, you should be able to tell your gran “no” when she wants you to eat that fifth slice of cake after a full three-course meal.

But if there’s anything we neglected to cover, or if you still have questions about something we did cover, let us know in the comments below. We’ll be glad to help and offer additional explanations.

By the way: If you see a fellow Hungarian student struggling with something and think you can help, feel free to offer an explanation yourself. After all, we’re an encouraging family of Hungarian learners striving to help each other thrive! 

Don’t forget to comment your translation and negation of these sentences down below!

    ❖ “We are going out to have lunch.”
    ❖ “Did you write a book?”
    ❖ “Be afraid of a new language.”

Happy language learning!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

Why learn Hungarian? Here are 10 compelling reasons.

Thumbnail

When there are so many popular languages you could study, why learn Hungarian? 

That’s a fair question, and one to which we have some answers! 

In this article, we’ll discuss why you should learn Hungarian and what benefits you can expect to gain from studying this beautiful language. And trust us, there are a lot—from improved mental health to increased business opportunities! 

Another question many aspiring learners ask is: “Why is Hungarian so difficult to learn?”

Keep in mind that with the right mindset, tools, and learning techniques, studying Hungarian is going to be like a promenade along the Seine…or should we say, along the Danube? To help you find the best way to learn Hungarian—as you should find what works for you—we’ve also included a few tips for learning Hungarian at the end of this article.

Girl in Blue T-shirt Thinking, Bubble Above Her Head
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Background of the Hungarian Language
  2. Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Learn Hungarian
  3. Is Hungarian Easy to Learn?
  4. Tips for Learning Hungarian
  5. Conclusion

1. Background of the Hungarian Language

Before we get into the benefits of learning Hungarian, how about some background information on the language and the people who speak it natively?

Hungarian came to the Carpathian Basin over twelve centuries ago and is now spoken mainly in Hungary as well as its neighboring countries, including: 

  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Serbia
  • Ukraine
  • Croatia
  • Slovenia
  • Austria

Approximately 14 million people speak Hungarian natively, with around 10 million of these people living in Hungary. The other 4 million or so speakers can be found in a few other countries around the world—including Israel and the United States—due to emigration.

Hungarian is an independent language within the Uralic language family. Even though this language family has very few members in Europe, the most populous groups live here. These are: Hungarian, Finnish, and Estonian.

Hungarian people used the ancient Hungarian script (also called the runic script) before 1000 A.D., and adopted the Latin alphabet in the tenth century. The oldest surviving Hungarian text (which happens to be the oldest of the whole language family) is the Funeral Sermon and Prayer from the 1190s.

Throughout the centuries, Hungarian has been influenced by Turkish, Latin, Slavic languages, German, and also English.

Are you now beginning to understand the importance of learning Hungarian? Good. Let’s jump to the convincing part now.

2. Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Learn Hungarian

Considering the relatively small number of native Hungarian speakers, you may be wondering why to learn Hungarian when there are other languages in much higher demand. 

In this section, we’ll outline a few defining features of Hungarian that make it a winning choice for the adventurous and passionate language learner. Let’s go! 

Reason #1: The Hungarian language is beautiful.

Most people say that the sound of Italian, French, or Spanish is like music to their ears, even if they don’t actually know what’s being said. But have you ever heard a Hungarian speak? The Hungarian language is melodious as well, and very smooth and tender to the ears. It also has a broad vocabulary, so it allows one to sound very sophisticated and find lots of beautiful words to describe simple things. For example:

  • “beautiful” – gyönyörű
  • “melodious” – dallamos
  • “gracious” – kecses

For a bigger sample of what we’re talking about, see our vocabulary list of the 50 most common Hungarian adjectives.

Reason #2: Hungarian is logical.

Every language has its own logical system which, once you understand it, helps you pick up the language using largely your own intuition. 

Although the grammar of Hungarian is very different from that of English, it’s still logical and easy to understand. In Hungarian, everything from conjugation to word formation has its own logic. Once you fully understand the concept, it’ll be so much easier to apply that knowledge to every new word or sentence pattern you learn.

Reason #3: Hungarian is a very diverse and colorful language.

We touched on this a little bit in our first point, but let’s elaborate. In Hungarian, there’s a word for everything! This means that there are several ways you can express yourself in a given situation. 

For instance, there are many different ways you could say “to walk” or “to go” in Hungarian:

  • Sétálni
  • Járni
  • Lépdelni
  • Kóborolni
  • Csavarogni
  • Bóklászni
  • Andalogni

They all differ a bit in meaning yet retain the same basic concept, which is the beauty of Hungarian.

Reason #4: You’ll get a better understanding of the Hungarian culture.

The Pannonhalma Archabbey in Hungary

If you speak a given nation’s language, you’ll also understand its people’s way of thinking better. This is because culture and language go hand-in-hand and influence each other—in fact, let’s look at an example. 

Imagine that you’re telling someone about a broken vase. In English, there are two ways you could relay this information: 

1) I broke the vase. [The agent is clearly stated here.]
2) The vase is broken. [Only the state of the vase is stated here; the person who broke it is not mentioned.]

But in Hungarian, the second version of this sentence would not work. In Hungarian, sentences must include the person or thing doing the action (the agent). Even if no pronouns are present in the sentence, the suffixes give away who did what.

Learning a foreign language also exposes you to idioms, proverbs, and common sayings that will give you a deeper understanding of the culture and its people. 

Vocab:

  • “vase” – váza
  • “broken” – törött
  • “I broke the vase.” – Eltörtem a vázát.

Reason #5: You’ll be favored by local Hungarians.

Hungarians are kind of cautious when it comes to foreigners. The primary reason is that not many of them speak a second language after their mother tongue, Hungarian. 

A great way to win the favor of Hungarians during your visit is to learn at least a few words and phrases beforehand. They’ll greatly appreciate that you took the effort to get closer to them in spirit! 

  • “mother tongue” – anyanyelv

If you’re planning for a trip soon, make sure to include some of these tourist destinations on your itinerary!

Two Girls Are Chatting and Smiling

Reason #6: Bargaining at markets will be much easier. 

Since most people selling at markets are elderly, most of them do not speak any foreign language. So, if you want to get a good bargain before you fly back home—which you can do because Hungarians are big bargainers—it’s a good idea to learn a few basic Hungarian expressions.

Vocab:

  • “market” – piac
  • “bargain” – alku
  • “How much does this cost?” – Ez mennyibe kerül?
  • “Can you give it to me at a cheaper price?” – Ide tudja adni olcsóbban?
  • “I’ll give you 500 HUF for it.” – Adok érte ötszáz (500) forintot.

Reason #7: You’ll be considered different and unique.

We won’t lie to you: Hungarian is not the most spoken language in the world, nor is it the easiest. But that’s exactly what makes it one hell of a language. 

Remember those good ol’ school days when you had to start every class by telling your classmates a “fun fact” about yourself? Well, those days are over, but “learning Hungarian” can be your new fun fact. People will be impressed when they find out you’re learning such a unique and challenging language.

  • “fun fact” – érdekesség
  • “unique” – különleges / egyedi
  • “to impress” – lenyűgözni

Reason #8: You will have yet another soul.

Do you know the sayings: 

“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” 
“Those who speak many languages live as many lives as the languages they know.” 

Well, would you like a Hungarian soul? You could enclose the smell of gulyás in your soul, as well as the taste of chicken paprikás.

  • “soul” – lélek
  • “to possess” – birtokolni

Reason #9: Hungarian is not expensive to study.

Since Hungarian is not a very popular language, the demand for it is not that great. But that’s only another “pro” as to why you should start learning Hungarian. The low demand for studying Hungarian means cheaper rates for language books, lessons, and overall studying process. Moreover, if you choose HungarianPod101, it becomes even more affordable! 

Reason #10: There are lots of great resources for learning.

Hungarian might not be the most popular or widely spoken language, but you can still find plenty of quality resources to help you study. Textbooks and classes are great, but have you considered exploring online courses and materials as well? The internet has certainly made language learning in general much easier and more convenient than it was in times past! 

Wondering where to learn Hungarian online? 

HungarianPod101 is a great choice! We believe in providing quality education, especially for today’s globalized world where language learning is more important than ever. We offer our students the best of the best, covering the most relevant topics on the Hungarian language and culture in a way that’s both fun and engaging. 

Lots of Books

3. Is Hungarian Easy to Learn?

Now that we’ve given you a few reasons why you should learn Hungarian, here’s one more for you: 

Hungarian really isn’t that difficult to learn! 

Hungarian might not be easy by default, but many learners find the language relatively simple to pick up. 

But as we said earlier, every language has its own system. Studying and trying to understand the basics of this system early on will make the learning process much, much smoother! In addition, your attitude will play a huge role in your Hungarian learning process—if you believe you can do it, believe us, you will. 

Here are a few things that students find very easy and refreshing about Hungarian:

Reading and pronunciation

In Hungarian, every letter is linked to one sound and vice-versa. There are only two exceptions: j and ly, which have the same [j] sound. This means that when you see a Hungarian word written down, you’ll know exactly how it should be pronounced—unlike languages like English or French where letters and letter combinations can have multiple sounds, or where vowels are written but not pronounced. You won’t have to worry about that craziness when studying Hungarian! 

Verb conjugation

Although there are a few irregular verbs that you’ll have to just memorize, Hungarian conjugation (in any tense) is very easy. Regular verbs all follow a specific pattern; once you learn this pattern, you’ll be able to conjugate almost any verb you come across.

Verb tenses

Hungarian only has three tenses (two if we don’t count the future tense, which is formed from the present tense). Each one is pretty straightforward and the rules of formation are easy to memorize.

No grammatical gender

Hungarian nouns do not have grammatical gender, so you only have to focus on learning the actual word.

Politeness is straightforward

In terms of politeness, Hungarian is more like French than English. That is to say, while English speakers do not conjugate verbs differently depending on who they’re talking to (a friend vs. a stranger), the French do the so-called “vouvoyer” to distinguish politeness levels. Hungarian distinguishes between politeness levels in a similar fashion, but the formation is very simple. 


4. Tips for Learning Hungarian

Now that we’ve shown you why Hungarian is a great language and how easy it is, you might be ready to jump right in and start learning Hungarian right this moment. However, no matter how easy a language is to learn, it’s important to know the best strategies for studying it! 

Here are a few tips that might help you learn Hungarian faster:

  1. Study prefixes and suffixes right from the start.
  2. Start building a basic vocabulary (common, everyday words) early on.
  3. Watch and listen to Hungarian TV shows, movies, YouTubers, podcasts, etc.
  4. Write down what poses a challenge for you.
  5. Practice every day.

If you’ve already mastered these effective learning methods but are still struggling to memorize words, read our article Top 15 Tips to Remember Words When Learning Hungarian for some more ideas!

Hungarian National Flag

5. Conclusion

In this article, we discussed…

  • …why you should learn Hungarian.
  • …things about the language that are actually pretty easy. 
  • …some different methods you can implement in your Hungarian studies.

We hope we’ve inspired and motivated you to start (or continue!) learning Hungarian, and that you’ll embark on this exciting journey soon. Nothing is standing in your way, so go ahead: be unique and earn yourself a “fun fact” to tell others. 😉

During the studying process, always keep in mind that you can count on us to be there for you. We believe that with the help of a supportive group—such as the HungarianPod101 team and your fellow language learners—there are no studying barriers you cannot overcome.

What are some tried-and-true learning methods that worked for you, or other tips you would like to share with others?

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

How Long Does it Take to Learn Hungarian?

Thumbnail

What’s one of the first things you consider when determining whether to learn something new? If you’re like most people, you probably look at how long it will take to learn, how difficult it is, and whether it’s worth the investment.  

If you’re reading this, odds are you want to start learning Hungarian but have not yet committed. You might be asking the all-too-common question: How long does it take to learn Hungarian? 

While there’s no solid timeline for how long this process takes, there are estimates for each level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) based on data from the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). In this article, we’ll take a look at these rough estimates and give you some useful tips on how to learn Hungarian faster! 

Still, you must remember that there are no super-shortcuts that enable you to learn a whole language in just a few weeks. If you’re determined to learn a language, you must put in the time and effort. If you’re motivated and willing to learn consistently, great results are guaranteed.

If you’re ready to take on the world and study Hungarian, what are you waiting for? The magic recipe for how to learn Hungarian fast is only a few scrolls away.

HungarianPod101 Logo with the Girl with Headphones
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Factors That Will Affect Your Learning Progress
  2. How Long Does it Take to Achieve Beginner Level?
  3. How Long Does it Take to Achieve Intermediate Level?
  4. How Long Does it Take to Achieve Advanced Level?
  5. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

Factors That Will Affect Your Learning Progress 

The FSI groups languages into four categories, based on how difficult they are for a native English speaker to learn. Level I languages are the easiest, while Level IV languages are the most difficult. 

Can you guess which category Hungarian belongs to?

Well, we have to break it to you: Hungarian is considered a Category III language, which makes it a rather difficult one to learn. But this doesn’t make it impossible! It will just take you a bit more time and effort to learn than it would take for you to learn French, for example. 

The actual speed of your Hungarian learning will depend on a variety of factors, such as:

  • How much time you put into your studies
  • Your study methods 
  • Your environment
  • Your motivation and goals

Now, let’s dive a little deeper!

How Long Does it Take to Achieve Beginner Level?

The average English speaker would need to spend 1 hour studying each day for approximately 12 weeks in order to reach the beginner level. 

However, we must emphasize that this number—and the others mentioned in this article—is merely an approximate to give you a basic idea of what to expect. 

With that in mind, how much time do you think it would take you to achieve the beginner level of Hungarian?

If your answer is “longer than I would like,” remember that HungarianPod101.com has plenty of fun and practical resources for learning Hungarian. Check out the following pages to speed up your progress and stay motivated: 

And here are some additional steps you can take to make the most of your study time

  • Prepare flashcards to make those words stick and carry them with you everywhere.
  • Learn the basic Hungarian sentence structure (hint: it’s usually S-V-O).
  • Watch short videos at a slow speed.

Finally, here are some skills and knowledge you’ll have by the time you reach this level: 

  • You’ll have memorized the Hungarian alphabet. 
  • You’ll know the pronunciation of each letter. 
  • You’ll know some key vocabulary and phrases for everyday interactions.
A Man with a Beard Is Reading and Holding a Pencil to His Temple

How Long Does it Take to Achieve Intermediate Level?

If you continue to study for 1 hour each day, you should be able to reach the intermediate level in approximately 28 weeks.

At the intermediate level, you will…

  • …be able to read short and simple texts, and understand the main points. 
  • …have a larger vocabulary than you did at the beginner stage. 
  • …be able to hold basic conversations at a slow speed on topics that are familiar to you. 

Of course, your exact skillset at this level may vary depending on the speed of your progress. This is just a rough outline of what’s expected of intermediate-level learners. 

There are several things you can do at this point to make the most of your study time. To give you some inspiration, here’s how to learn Hungarian quickly using a variety of tools:

  • Broaden your vocabulary, especially on niche topics that fascinate you or relate to your daily life. 
  • Read Hungarian newspapers or blogs; this will further expand your vocabulary and give you insight into Hungarian culture and society. 
  • Watch Hungarian YouTube channels or Netflix shows with English subtitles.
  • Listen to Hungarian podcasts on your topics of interest. 
  • Go through HungarianPod101’s Level 2 Hungarian and Level 3 Hungarian pathways. 

At this point, we can’t stress enough how important it is to listen a lot, practice your pronunciation often, and keep a dictionary with you any time you read. The journey from beginner to intermediate level will involve expanding your vocabulary and gaining a better understanding of how Hungarians speak and converse with each other. By actively immersing yourself in different forms of Hungarian media, you can speed up your progress and develop these new skills faster. 

As mentioned in our bullet list, you should read plenty of Hungarian blogs, magazines, and newspapers. Keep a dictionary handy, so you can look up any unfamiliar words and note them down in a journal to study later. Having a written record of which words you’re struggling with is a great way to plan your next steps forward.

Newspapers, in particular, are a great reading source if you want to develop a more versatile vocabulary. You can read up on all kinds of modern, trending topics such as politics, coronavirus, and the labor market. You can also read newspapers or blogs specific to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary; this is a great idea if you plan on visiting the city in the near future!

A Girl in a Hoodie Is Taking Notes in a Library with Her Book and Laptop Open

How Long Does it Take to Achieve Advanced Level?

Reaching the advanced level means that you’re finally fluent in Hungarian. According to the FSI, reaching this level of fluency will take you about 44 weeks (or 1100 hours) if you study for an hour every day.

This is a huge time commitment, but if you’re persistent, you can become fluent in Hungarian! 

The most common mistake language learners make is giving up. When you reach a plateau or feel like it’s taking you longer than it should to reach the next level, it’s easy to get discouraged. But! Just because you missed a few days of learning because you had other, more important things to do (let’s say, job-related), don’t beat yourself up. Just get back on track as soon as possible, and forget the setback even happened.

You’re studying for yourself, by yourself, so it takes a large amount of willpower and motivation to be persistent with your lessons. Just remember that it’s okay to fall off the wagon sometimes—as long as you always get back on! 

Here are a few tips on how to learn the Hungarian language as you journey from intermediate to advanced: 

  • Study field-specific words, such as business terms or medical expressions, to keep your vocabulary varied. 
  • Watch Hungarian shows in different genres: crime shows, sitcoms, reality shows, etc. 
  • Start reading books in Hungarian; start small, and gradually work your way up to larger books.
  • Download Hungarian language learning apps and visit forums so you can chat with fellow language learners.
  • Go through HungarianPod101’s Level 4 Hungarian and Level 5 Hungarian pathways.

A Girl with a Fringe with Headphones Is Looking Away, Sitting in Front of Her Laptop

How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

There you go: a few tips for learning Hungarian fast and easy. We hope we managed to cover everything you want to know about how long it will take to learn Hungarian, but don’t hesitate to reach out if we missed something—we’ll be glad to help. 

Remember that there are no studying barriers you cannot overcome! With HungarianPod101, you have a supportive group to back you up every step of the way. We provide you with pre-assembled study materials that have been tried and tested, as well as forums where you can ask questions and chat with other HungarianPod101 members.

We’ll be back soon with another useful, practical article—stay tuned and good luck with your studies!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

The Top 30 Most Common Hungarian Proverbs and Idioms

Thumbnail

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the perfect proverb could have hit hard like a meteor and left everybody speechless? We’ve all been there. But at HungarianPod101.com, we know that the words don’t always roll off the tongue so easily—especially when you’re trying to speak a foreign language!

In this article, we’re going to cover thirty of the most common Hungarian proverbs and idioms. We’ve divided them into three categories, so you’ll find proverbs and idioms on life, love, and even money. These are phrases you’ll hear often while in Hungary, so memorizing them and learning how to use them will really help your language skills shine in any situation.

And remember: As you learn these Hungarian sayings, you’re never alone! You can always reach out to us or your fellow Hungarian language learners for help or motivation. We’re all in this together. 

Now, let’s get started.

A Group of Friends, Two Girls and Two Guys, Are Chatting and Laughing Around a Table
Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Hungarian Proverbs About Life
  2. Hungarian Proverbs About Love
  3. Hungarian Proverbs About Money
  4. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Achieve Your Language Goals

1. Hungarian Proverbs About Life

A Woman Whose Nose Has Grown Longer After Telling a Lie

Hungarian proverbs about life convey wisdom about how to live well. Learning these proverbs can help you gain a better understanding of how Hungarians view life in general, and provide you with more insight into the Hungarian culture.  

Below, you’ll find ten Hungarian proverbs about life. For each one, we’ve included an English translation and information about what it means and how to use it. 

1. A nagy hal megeszi a kishalat.

  • Literal Translation: Big fish eat the small fish. 
  • English Equivalent: Men are like fish; great ones devour the small. 

Meaning:
Small organizations and insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful.

Usage:
This proverb would be perfect if you wanted to warn someone that, if they’re not strong enough (figuratively speaking), they’ll be trodden over by others. You know… “Eat or be eaten.”

2. A hazug embert hamarabb utolérik, mint a sánta kutyát.

  • Literal Translation: They catch the man who lies sooner than the limping dog. 
  • English Equivalent: A lie has short legs. 

Meaning:
Your lies will come to light sooner than you think.

Usage:
You might use this proverb, for example, in a shady situation where you suspect that the other party is lying. It would put a bit of pressure on them.


3. Az idő minden sebet begyógyít.

  • Literal Translation: Time heals all wounds.

Meaning:
You just have to be patient, and all sorrow and sadness will go away in time.

Usage:
You could use this sentence, for instance, if one of your friends was trying to get over a breakup.

4. Ki mint vet, úgy arat.

  • Literal Translation: He who sows reaps.
  • English Equivalent: As you sow, so shall you reap. 

Meaning:
The way you behave in life will determine the treatment you receive from others.

Usage:
Imagine one of your friends did somebody wrong, and then something bad happened to them as well. You could then mention this proverb to them as a sort of life lesson. Because as we all know…what goes around, comes around.

5. Aki mer, az nyer.

  • Literal Translation: He who dares, wins. 

Meaning:
If you do not try—or dare—you’ll never succeed, because you did not give yourself the chance to do so in the first place.

Usage:
You could use this proverb to encourage somebody who needs that little extra push to take a leap that might result in something great.

6. Aki nem dolgozik, ne is egyék!

  • Literal Translation: Those who do not work should not eat. 
  • English Equivalent: He who does not work, shall not eat either. 

Meaning:
You have to work for the prize. If you didn’t do anything to earn it, you don’t deserve it.

Usage:
This one is very simple. It’s quite popular among Hungarian mothers, who say this to their children when they haven’t done their chores—or anything at all, to be fair—but still come down to have lunch as though they “deserve it.” But it’s only said as a joke, of course.

7. Ha nincs ló, jó a szamár is.

  • Literal Translation: If there is no horse, a donkey will do as well. 

Meaning:
This proverb refers to a situation where you know that something better exists, but you decide to settle for what you have even if it’s not as good. 

Usage:
This might be a good Hungarian proverb to insert in a light, teasing friend-to-friend conversation when your pal goes to prom with someone they don’t fancy that much because their real crush did not invite them. 

8. Ki tudja, mit hoz a holnap.

  • Literal Translation: Who knows what tomorrow will bring? 

Meaning:
You never know what opportunities you’ll have in the future, so you must always keep hoping for a better day. You cannot give up.

Usage:
Here’s another encouraging Hungarian proverb. You could use this phrase to give somebody a pinch of hope when they’re ready to give up on something, just because things haven’t worked out so far. 

9. A cél szentesíti az eszközt.

  • Literal Translation: The purpose consecrates the means. 
  • English Equivalent: The ends justify the means. 

Meaning:
If your purpose is something noble or important, you’re allowed to reach it in any way, using any means.

Usage:
Imagine you’re about to do something morally questionable, like telling your sibling that the new ice-cream doesn’t taste that good, just so you have more left for you. Repeating this Hungarian proverb in your head like a mantra might give you a little bit more courage…and ice-cream. It would be a way of telling yourself that ice-cream is very important, so telling lies is “okay” in that situation. 

10. Ne igyál előre a medve bőrére!

  • Literal Translation: Don’t drink on the bear’s skin in advance. 
  • English Equivalent: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. 

Meaning:
Don’t celebrate something good too soon, because it might not turn out the way you think it will. 

Usage:
The night before your state exam, you meet up with your friends and they raise their glasses to you, the “newly-grad genius.” You must tell them not to drink on the bear’s skin in advance, because you haven’t graduated yet and nothing is for sure.

A Woman is Thinking and There Are Bubbles Above Her Head

2. Hungarian Proverbs About Love

Hungarian proverbs about love are just as abundant and necessary as those about life. Using the right proverb at the right time can get you some bonus points in your relationship or help you better express your love. Below are the most common proverbs in Hungarian about love, each one relatable and full of wisdom. 

Remember that you can find even more love-related words and phrases on our list of Hungarian Quotes About Love and in our lesson on Three Ways to Say “I Love You” in Hungarian

11. A szerelem vak.

  • Literal Translation: Love is blind. 

Meaning:
You cannot think clearly and rationally when you’re in love.

Usage:
This is a great phrase you can use to console a friend while they’re going through a hard time in their relationship. 

12. Az ellentétek vonzzák egymást.

  • Literal Translation: Opposites attract each other. 

Meaning:
This one is straightforward. People who are utterly different in character often complete each other, like Yin and Yang. Differences give a relationship extra life and spice. If you always agree on everything, chances are you’ll become bored with the relationship over time.

Usage:
You may hear this proverb used when someone is trying to understand how two completely different people could be in a relationship with each other. 

13. Soha szerelem sóhajtás nélkül édes nem lehet.

  • Literal Translation: Love without sighs can never be sweet. 

Meaning:
Love that is without hardships cannot last, as it would be rather boring that way. Also, going through hardships together is the test of true love; if you can weather the storms, your love is likely to last. 

Usage:
If your friend is having their usual rant about their significant other, you can comfort them with this easy Hungarian proverb. Help them remember that a little rain is needed to see the rainbow.

14. A szerelemben több a keserű, mint az édes.

  • Literal Translation: In love, there’s more bitterness than sweetness. 

Meaning:
This one basically means that you have to work for someone’s love to make a relationship last. It doesn’t come easy, and it’s not always pleasant. 

Usage:
Searching for the perfect Hungarian proverb to cheer up a friend who’s just had an argument with their love? This is the one. Just tell them it’s normal and that it will get better.

15. Hideg kéz, meleg szív.

  • Literal Translation: Cold hand, warm heart. 

Meaning:
If someone is strict with you, it usually means they just want the best for you.

Usage:
The funny thing is, this proverb is mostly used in a way unrelated to its real meaning. Hungarians say this when a person’s hand is literally, physically cold. So, if you touch someone’s hand and it’s like an icicle, saying this phrase is a nice way to warm their heart.

16. Nincsen rózsa tövis nélkül.

  • Literal Translation: There is no rose without thorns. 

Meaning:
Nothing and nobody is perfect.

Usage:
If you’re having a tough conversation with a friend or significant other, just recall this Hungarian proverb.

17. A szerelem a bölcset is vakká teszi.

  • Literal Translation: Love makes even the wise blind. 

Meaning:
Love can fool anyone (even the smartest of people), making them irrational.

Usage:
You can use this proverb if one of your friends—who you thought was the wisest and smartest person you knew—fell in love hard and blind.

18. Kenyér és bor nélkül meghűl a szerelem.

  • Literal Translation: Without bread and wine, love gets cold. 

Meaning:
Love needs to be cherished and the fire kept alive, otherwise two people will fall out of love.

Usage:
If you know a couple that’s been together for a looong time, this might be a great, eye-opening piece of advice for them.


19. A harag és a szerelem a legrosszabb tanácsadók.

  • Literal Translation: Anger and love are the worst advisors.

Meaning:
When you’re angry or in love, you cannot think straight. It’s better to act only once you’ve calmed yourself down and cleared your thoughts.

Usage:
If a friend is trying to make a major decision while they’re either angry or blindly in love, you may want to use this Hungarian proverb to open their eyes and encourage caution. 

20. Álomban és szerelemben nincs lehetetlenség.

  • Literal Translation: In a dream and love, nothing is impossible. 

Meaning:
Love can defeat anything and makes everything possible.

Usage:
You can encourage anybody with this saying. If they have a big dream they want to make reality or have a relationship issue that needs to be resolved, you can empower them by emphasizing that nothing is impossible if they set their mind to it.

A Couple Is Seen, Leaning on a Wooden Wall and Holding Hands

3. Hungarian Proverbs About Money

Because Hungarians value and cherish their money quite a lot, there are plenty of Hungarian proverbs about money for you to learn. Below, we’ve listed the ten most common ones.  


21. Sok kicsi sokra megy.

  • Literal Translation: Lots of ‘small’ adds up to one ‘big.’ 

Meaning:
Here’s a prime example of that money-cherishing trait we mentioned. This proverb teaches that we should not be greedy; if we’re patient, great things will come to us eventually. It’s just a matter of enough small things accumulating to become something better. 

Usage:
Imagine your child or nephew/niece finds a few coins inside the couch. You could help them value that little bit of money by saying this proverb to them, convincing them that if they cherish the small amount they gained it will be rewarding in the future. 

22. Az idő pénz.

  • Literal Translation: Time is money. 

Meaning:
Time is the only thing that we cannot get more of; it only lessens, so we must not waste it.

Usage:
If somebody is wasting your time, this proverb is a great (though maybe a bit harsh) way to let them know.

23. Pénz beszél, kutya ugat.

  • Literal Translation: Money talks, dog barks. 

Meaning:
With money, everything is possible.

Usage:
We hope you’ll never use this Hungarian proverb in such a context, but it’s a perfect way to introduce a bribe and let someone know you’re about to pay them off.

24. Ki korán kel, aranyat lel.

  • Literal Translation: The early bird catches the worm. 

Meaning:
Those who are vigilant and ready to jump at opportunities are the ones who succeed.

Usage:
If you struggle to wake up early in the morning, going to bed with this thought in mind might help you wake up easier the next morning.

25. Nem mind arany, ami fénylik.

  • Literal Translation: Not all that glitters is gold. 

Meaning:
You shouldn’t be fooled by superficial things, because they might not be as good as they appear to be.

Usage:
If someone you know is about to jump at an opportunity that seems too good to be true, you can offer them friendly advice using this proverb. It will encourage them to think twice before taking that thing at face value. 

26. Ismerik, mint a rossz pénzt.

  • Literal Translation: He is well-known like bad money. 

Meaning:
This phrase is used to describe someone who is so infamous that their true character is common knowledge. 

Usage:
If someone close to you is starting to become associated with someone you know is not a good person, you can use this phrase to let them know. 

27. A pénz nem a fán nő.

  • Literal Translation: Money doesn’t grow on trees. 

Meaning:
You shouldn’t spend your money recklessly. 

Usage:
Hungarian children often hear this phrase after begging their parents for something at the toy store! 

28. Az becsüli a pénzt, kinek körme kopik utána.

  • Literal Translation: Those who appreciate money broke their nails for it. 

Meaning:
You can only truly appreciate money if you worked hard for every penny.

Usage:
Next time you encounter an arrogant person who won’t get off their high horse because of their easily-come money, you could use this Hungarian proverb to put them back in their place. 

29. Annyi pénze van, mint békán a szőr.

  • Literal Translation: He has as much money as a frog has hair. 

Meaning:
Somebody is broke.

Usage:
If you want to joke about your financial state (because what’s healthier than a little self-deprecation?), you could say this Hungarian proverb to describe your situation to your friends. 

30. Kinek nincsen pénze, ne menjen piacra!

  • Literal Translation: He who hasn’t money, shouldn’t go to the market.

Meaning:
Those who are not qualified to do something, shouldn’t do it.

Usage:
In addition to its obvious correlation with actual money and markets, this proverb can also refer to any situation where someone is unqualified to do something. For example, you could use this phrase at work when somebody tries to perform a task they weren’t trained for and messed it up.

A Blond Woman in a White Shirt Is Laughing, with Money Falling from the Sky

4. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Achieve Your Language Goals

Now that you know quite a few old Hungarian proverbs and idioms, you’re well-equipped to handle a variety of situations—and impress native speakers at the same time! Which of these Hungarian sayings is your favorite, and why? 

We hope you enjoyed this article, and that you’ll continue to explore the HungarianPod101.com website for more great content. Here, you’ll find so many fun and effective learning materials to help you reach your goals. To give you just a sample: 

You can also visit the HungarianPod101 YouTube channel to watch educational videos by our fun and energetic hosts. We regularly post new videos, so there’s always something to watch! 

Know that you’re never alone on your language learning journey. You can always reach out to us or your fellow language learners for assistance or encouragement.

Happy learning!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian

Budapest Travel Guide: Top 10 Places to Visit in Budapest

Thumbnail

When preparing ourselves to go on a trip, we want to know everything about our destination, right? Right. 

Knowing what a country or city has to offer before arriving helps us plan ahead and pack accordingly, allowing us to make the best of our vacation time! 

One thing we recommend if you’re planning a trip to Budapest is to do your research on the best places to visit. Creating a list of the attractions you most want to see will ensure you don’t waste a precious minute of your stay in this intriguing city. 

In this Budapest travel guide, we’ll make the research part easier for you. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten places to visit in Budapest, in addition to some useful pre-trip information and a list of common Hungarian phrases you should know for the best experience. 

Are you ready? Let’s get your adventure started on the right foot.

Someone Holding a Passport and Travel Documents

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Before You Go
  2. Must-See Places for a 1-3 Day Trip
  3. Highly Recommended Places for a 4-7 Day Trip (or Longer)
  4. Hungarian Survival Phrases for Travelers
  5. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Get the Most Out of Language Learning

Before You Go

As we said earlier, most people want to learn as much as they can about their destination before traveling there. Even if you’re more of the spontaneous type, we think you’ll gain some valuable insight from the information provided in this section. 

Quick Facts

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It’s also the ninth most populous city in the European Union, with 1.7 million residents living within its 525 km2 of land. 

Hungarians arrived here in the late ninth century, when the area was still ruled by the Mongols. Buda, the west side of the city (split by the Danube), became one of the centers of Renaissance humanist culture by the fifteenth century.

Weather

One of the reasons to visit Budapest is its great weather. Given its humid continental climate, the weather here is pretty mild, with cold winters and warm summers. 

The weather in Budapest from mid-March until early May is usually agreeable. Summer kicks in early around the end of May and normally lasts until mid-September. Proper fall weather—meaning rainy and a bit chilly—occurs in October and November. Winter usually arrives in late November and stays until February (but lately, winters have not been as cold as they were five to ten years ago).

Bottom line: For a spring or summer trip, bring flowy, breezy clothes and maybe a couple of light jackets. If you plan to visit Budapest in winter or fall, you might want to pack two or three warm pullovers and a puffy jacket to keep you warm while wandering the streets.

A Pink Suitcase on a Bed, Packed with Clothes, Bathing Suit, Sunglasses, etc.

Travel Tips

The best time to visit Budapest depends on your needs and preferences. 

If you don’t mind heaps of other tourists tagging along at famous sights, then summer is the way to go. The city is beautiful in summer, and you’ll get to enjoy the terraces of bars and restaurants, as well as the Budapest nightlife with outdoor concerts and fairy lights at night.

However, the city is just as beautiful in winter. Although we don’t recommend sitting down on the bank of the Danube for a romantic picnic during this time, there are many winter activities you could do. A great example is ice-skating in the City Park near Vajdahunyad Castle.

Whenever you go, you must bear in mind that if you don’t speak Hungarian (or English), your visit is going to be quite an adventure. Hungarian people are not well-known for their language expertise. Few people here speak a second language, and those who do typically opt for English or sometimes German. While it is possible to find an Italian- or Spanish-speaking Hungarian, you would have to be very lucky to come across them! 


Packing Reminders

Before your Budapest trip, make sure you have your visa and other travel documents. If you’re from the Schengen area, you probably don’t need one (although it’s always best to check on reputable websites).

Another important thing is to change out your money to the local currency (HUF, or Hungarian Forint). There are some places where you can pay with Euros, but the Euro is not as widespread in Hungary as it is in some other EU member states that haven’t yet adopted the common currency. Other currencies are completely off the table.

Colorful Suitcases of Different Sizes, with a Plane Taking Off in the Background at Sunset

Must-See Places for a 1-3 Day Trip

Do you have only a few days to visit Budapest? No problem. 

While we do recommend staying longer if you have the time and means, you can still see plenty of popular attractions in one to three days. The key here is to choose locations that are relatively close to one another, so you don’t have to waste much time traveling. 

Here are five incredible places to visit in Budapest when you’re short on time! 

#1: Buda Castle (Budavári Palota)

If you have only one or two days to visit the city, exploring the Buda side is probably the best thing to do. 

First off, the Buda Castle (located atop Castle Hill) is definitely a priority! The castle was originally built in the mid-thirteenth century and served as home to numerous Hungarian kings. Inside, you’ll find the Budapest History Museum where you can learn more about the city’s history. In 1987, this location was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

#2: Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya)

You can get an amazing view of the city from Fisherman’s Bastion, located in the Buda Castle area. While at Castle Hill, you might also want to check out the famous labyrinth underneath it; it’s an enormous network of caves and tunnels underneath the historical Budapest.

#3: Citadella (Citadella)

Still on the Buda side but no longer on Castle Hill, there is Citadella, the fortress of Budapest upon Gellért Hill. Here, you’ll find the famous Liberty Statue which was erected in remembrance of the Soviet liberation after WWll. You can reach the Citadella by bus, but if you want to be more adventurous, you can walk up to the top from the foot of the hill.

#4: Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom)

Also known as the Coronation Church of Buda, this Roman Catholic church was built in 1015 and is where Franz Joseph I and Charles IV were crowned. It’s located in the Holy Trinity Square in the Buda Castle District, and it’s an essential location to visit if you enjoy architecture. The building features a Romanesque styling you’re sure to fall in love with! 

#5: Gellért Thermal Bath (Gellért Fürdő)

Hungary is known for its different kinds of mineral-laden thermal water, and Budapest tourism heavily relies on it. If you have a bit more time, definitely visit the Gellért Thermal Bath. You could easily spend a full day here, on the border of Buda and Pest, just relaxing and soaking in the water.

A Female Asian Tourist Holding a Map with a Camera Hanging Around Her Neck

Highly Recommended Places for a 4-7 Day Trip (or Longer)

If you have a bit more time to visit Budapest (a week or so), there are several places on the Pest side you should definitely add to your itinerary. 

#6: Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere)

Heroes’ Square is a major landmark in Budapest. It commemorates the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important leaders. Near Heroes’ Square, there is City Park which is a great place to have picnics or a good run. In City Park stands Vajdahunyad Castle; this is one of the best places to visit in Budapest in January, because you can go ice-skating inside.

#7: Margaret Island (Margit-sziget)

Margaret Island is one of the two islands in Budapest (the city, not the county). It has a great running track, fitness park, pool, hotel, and lots of other facilities. However, it’s mostly visited for friendly get-togethers and picnics—not to mention the musical fountain that ‘dances’ to songs every hour from four p.m. in summer.

#8: Parliament of Budapest (Országház/Parlament)

The Hungarian Parliament Building, located on Kossuth Square, is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. It’s visited not only by tourists, but also by school groups. If you plan to visit the Budapest Parliament, it’s best to get a tour guide so you can get to know every little detail about this beautiful building, designed by Imre Steindl in the Neo-Gothic style.

#9: Saint Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István-bazilika)

This Roman Catholic basilica of Neoclassical architecture is named after the first king of Hungary. Besides being a tourist attraction, the basilica is often used to host musical events. St. Stephen’s Basilica is close to Deák Ferenc Square and the heart of Budapest nightlife; many of the must-visit restaurants in Budapest are located in the area, as well. 

#10: Dohány Street Synagogue (Dohány utcai zsinagóga)

This Jewish synagogue, situated between Deák Ferenc Square and Astoria, was built between 1854-59 in Moorish Revival style. Its decoration has a strong Islamic influence. This is the largest working synagogue in Europe—and one of the largest in the world—with nearly 3,000 seats.

Inside of the Dohány Street Synagogue

Hungarian Survival Phrases for Travelers

Our guide would be incomplete without a set of Hungarian survival phrases. Because most Hungarians speak only Hungarian, it’s essential that you learn at least the very basics for day-to-day interactions. 

The words and phrases listed below should be adequate, but you can also study our lesson on Hungarian Words Related to Travel, our list of Essential Hungarian Vocabulary About Traveling, and our list of 30 Hungarian Travel Phrases You Should Know. That should keep you busy for a while. 😉 

  • Szia. / Hello. (singular)
  • Sziasztok. / Hello. (plural)
  • Köszönöm. / Thank you. (singular)
  • Köszönjük. / Thank you. (plural)
  • Viszlát. / Goodbye. (short, polite version)
  • Viszont látásra. / Goodbye. (longer version)
  • Szia. / Goodbye. (singular, informal)
  • Szasztok. / Goodbye. (plural, informal) 
  • Bocsánat. / Sorry. (longer, polite version)
  • Bocsi. / Sorry. (shorter, less polite version)

Curious to discover more common greetings? Then see our lesson Greetings Among Young People

  • Nagyon jó! / Very good. 
  • Nem értem (Önt). / I don’t understand (you). 
  • Nem beszélek magyarul. / I don’t speak Hungarian. 
  • Merre találom a mosdót? / Where is the restroom? 
  • Mennyibe kerül? / How much is it? 
  • Ezt szeretném megvenni. / I’d like to buy this. (at a store)
  • Ezt szeretném kérni. / I want this. [Literally: I’d like to ask for this.] (at a restaurant
  • Segítség! / Help! (for emergencies)

The Chain Bridge and the Parliament at Sunset/Evening in Budapest

How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Get the Most Out of Language Learning

In this article, we covered the top ten places to visit in Budapest and gave you some handy travel tips. We hope we’ve inspired you to take the plunge and travel to this majestic European city! Which of these locations do you most want to see, and why? 

Although our Budapest visit guide covered most of the places you should visit in Budapest, don’t forget that there’s always more to every location and culture. Dig deeper, do your research, and boost your Hungarian knowledge in the meantime. (We can help with that.)

One of the reasons traveling to a foreign land is an awesome experience is because it gives you the chance to practice the local language with natives. If you’re a Hungarian learner, traveling to Budapest is a great idea because the residents are very talkative here—you just have to give off that good first impression. A good way to do this is by displaying your knowledge of Hungarian!

Join the HungarianPod101 family, and we can help you prepare for your upcoming Budapest trip. We have a great number of vocabulary lists, as well as video and audio materials for learners at every level. With our help, there will be nothing standing between you and Budapest.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian