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Archive for the 'Hungarian Phrases' Category

The Ultimate List of Top Hungarian Compliments

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Have you ever met a Hungarian girl or guy, and wanted to tell them every existing term of endearment in their own language—but didn’t know how? Well, the past is in the past… But we guarantee that if you ever encounter this situation again, you certainly won’t face this problem a second time.

In this article, we’ll teach you the very basics of Hungarian compliments so you can compliment in Hungarian like a native speaker. You’ll not only learn the Hungarian word for “love,” but you’ll also discover beautiful Hungarian words to impress Mr. or Mrs. Right.

With our help, you’ll never leave a party or café with those terrible “what if” thoughts. No. With our help, you’ll go up to that fine-lookin’ person and shower them with Hungarian compliments. How does that sound? Good, right?

You might friend each other on Facebook, end up marrying each other, and live happily ever after. But you’ll never get to know how your love story ends without these essential Hungarian phrases for complimenting someone. That’s what HungarianPod101.com is here for.

Flirting aside, compliments are crucial in our everyday lives. Whether we’re at a delicatessen, school, work, or the bus stop, everybody loves being appreciated and having their efforts acknowledged. The delicatessen likes to hear that his sandwiches are the best in town. Our colleague is fond of presentations and longs to hear how well-put-together they have always been. Meanwhile, the old lady at the bus stop goes home with a wide smile on her face after you tell her how beautiful her grandchildren are. Compliments are inevitable when we socialize; they’re an indispensable part of conversations.

Although finding The One is an ultimate goal for everyone, acquiring the basic skills to compliment someone is just as essential.

Ready to compliment your way into a Hungarian’s heart? Let’s start then.

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Table of Contents

  1. On Someone’s Look
  2. On Someone’s Work
  3. On Someone’s Skills
  4. How to Make Your Compliments Sound More Sincere
  5. What to Expect After Giving Compliments in Hungarian
  6. Conclusion: HungarianPod101.com Helps You Reach Your Full Potential

1. On Someone’s Look

Compliments

Complimenting someone’s look doesn’t only work when you’re trying to win someone’s heart. It’s a crucial part of our daily interactions with people: family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers on the street. Do your daily act of kindness when in Hungary and try praising someone in Hungarian.

In this section, we’ll go over a variety of Hungarian compliments about someone’s look, with vocabulary breakdowns and examples.

1 – Facial Features

A- “You have beautiful blue eyes.” (Gyönyörű kék szemeid vannak.)

In this sentence:

  • Gyönyörű = “Beautiful”
  • Kék = “Blue”
  • Szemeid = “(Your) eyes”
  • Vannak = “Have”

There are two things to keep in mind. First, the word “you” is indicated in this sentence by the suffix -d in the word szemeid. Second, vannak usually means “there are,” but in this case it means “have.”

B- “Your smile is cute.” (Aranyos a mosolyod.)

Just like in English, you can use “cute” (aranyos) to describe multiple things in Hungarian. In this case, it’s describing a person you fancy.

C- “You have the cutest nose that I have ever seen.” (Neked van a legaranyosabb orrod, amit valaha láttam.)

  • Orrod = “(Your) nose”
  • Legaranyosabb = “Cutest”
  • Amit = “That”
  • Valaha láttam = “I have ever seen”

“You have” works the same way here as it did previously.

In Hungarian, leg- (…) -bb is the equivalent of the English “-est” or “most.”

2 – General Looks

A- “You have such nice hair.” (Olyan szép hajad van!)

  • Van = “There is” (or “Have”)
  • Olyan = “Such”
  • Szép hajad = “(Your) nice hair”

“You have” works the same way as in the previous sentence.

B- “Your hair looks great today.” (Nagyon jól néz ma ki a frizurád!)

In both the English and Hungarian sentence, the compliment refers to the person’s hair today (i.e. their current hairstyle). Hungarian even has a word it: frizura. Thus, “your hair” is frizurád. “Great” is nagyon jó and “today” is ma.

C- “Have you been to the hairdresser? I love this new style.” (Fodrásznál voltál? Imádom ezt az új stílust!)

“Have you been to” is simply voltál in Hungarian.

As you may know by now, Hungarian only has three verb tenses, and the English Present Perfect tense falls under the category of “past” in Hungarian. Hence the one-word expression.

“Hairdresser” is fodrász.

As you can see, the question is only indicated by a question mark, not a reversed word order.

3 – A Note on Love

The word “love” has two meanings in Hungarian: imád and szeret. For Hungarians, imád is generally not as serious as szeret. When talking about people, you szeret a person when you deeply love them, even to the point of being in love with them. You imád a person when you adore them. For example, when you think they’re cool and fun to hang out with.

Now let’s see the Hungarian word for “love” in actual sentences to help you understand fully.

A- “I love you.” (Szeretlek.)

B- “I love the way you laugh.” (Szeretem, ahogy nevetsz.)

  • Szeretem = “I love”
  • Ahogy = “The way”
  • Nevetsz = “You laugh”

Easy as pie, right?

C- “I love Greg. He’s so fun.” (Imádom Gergőt! Olyan vicces!)

Positive Feelings

4 – Clothing and Style

Now, onto complimenting someone’s style.

It might be the greatest compliment you can make about a person’s appearance, because such features as eyes or hair can’t be extremely altered by the person themself. Those features are a result of their genes.

However, they can change their style as much as they like. So, when you compliment someone’s outfit, you’re complimenting their personality and taste as well. Thus, this type of Hungarian compliment works great with everyone, especially those you’ve just met.

A- “I like your shirt.” (Tetszik a felsőd.)

B- “These jeans look great on you.” (Ez a farmer nagyon jól áll neked.)

In Hungarian, “jeans” is singular, meaning that it’s farmer and not farmerek.

C- “That skirt you are wearing has just walked out of my dreams.” (Ez a szoknya, amit viselsz, épp most lépett ki az álmaimból.)

  • Szoknya = “Skirt”
  • Lépett ki = “Walked out” (literally: “Stepped out”)

5 – When You Want to Flirt

Okay, okay. But what would be a proper compliment in Hungarian for a girl or guy you just met?

A- “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met.” (Te vagy a leggyönyörűbb nő, akivel valaha találkoztam.)

B- “You are the most handsome guy I have ever met.” (Te vagy a leghelyesebb srác, akivel valaha találkoztam.)

“Guy,” as you might have guessed, is srác. But if you want to sound more serious, say “man,” which is férfi.

Close-up of a Book, the Pages of Which Are Forming a Heart

2. On Someone’s Work

As we said before, it’s very important for people to have their efforts—and thus, their work—acknowledged. This lets them know that they’re doing something good and of high quality. So, what compliments in Hungarian can you give your colleagues or employees for a job well done?

First, it’s important to know whose work you’re complimenting. If it’s your boss, someone you don’t know that well, or someone in a higher position, you might want to address them formally. Whereas to praise your friend’s work, you don’t need to be formal like that.

Let’s see. In the following examples, we’ll show you each phrase both formally and informally (in situations where the difference matters).

1 – General Praises

  • “Good job.”
    Jó munka!
  • “Well done.”
    Ügyes munka!
  • “Nice work.”
    Szép munka!
  • “Very good.”
    Nagyon jó!
  • “You did very well.”
    Nagyon jól csináltad! (informal)
    Nagyon jól csinálta! (formal)
  • “I’m really proud of you.”
    Igazán büszke vagyok rád! (informal)
    Igazán büszke vagyok Önre! (formal)
  • “You exceeded my expectations.”
    Felülmúltad az elvárásaimat. (informal)
    Felülmúlta az elvárásaimat. (formal)
  • “You are a great colleague.”
    Nagyon jó kolléga vagy. (informal)
    Ön egy nagyon jó kolléga. (formal)
  • “I love working with you.”
    Szeretek veled dolgozni. (informal)
    Szeretek Önnel dolgozni. (formal)

2 – Specific Praises

  • “That’s a great point.”
    Ez egy remek érv.
  • “What an awesome idea.”
    Milyen remek ötlet!
  • “You gave a very good speech.”
    Nagyon jó beszédet adtál! (informal)
    Nagyon jó beszédet adott! (formal)
  • “The way you approached our potential clients was amazing.”
    Nagyszerű volt, ahogy megközelítetted a potenciális ügyfeleinket! (informal)
    Nagyszerű volt, ahogy megközelítette a potenciális ügyfeleinket! (formal)

Do you know what Ez egy remek beszéd volt means? Let us know in the comments.

A Man Giving a Woman a Present

3. On Someone’s Skills

Complimenting someone’s skills works best, of course, if you know the person. We know, we know…but we had to clarify. However, there are instances when you get to know some of a person’s skills right off the bat. In this case, it’s completely okay to compliment them. You might win their heart this way, too.

Here are some examples of compliments you can use to praise someone’s skills:

1- “You’re a fantastic cook.” (Fantasztikus szakács vagy!)

  • Fantasztikus = “Fantastic” (spelled almost the same way!)
  • Szakács = “Cook”

2- “You take great shots.” (Nagyszerű fotókat készítesz!)

Hungarian doesn’t have a word for “shot,” but it does for “photo,” which is fotó. Again, not a difficult one.

3- “You speak Hungarian like a native.” (Úgy beszélsz magyarul, mintha ez lenne az anyanyelved!)

Hungarian doesn’t have a single word for “native.” You can express it by literally explaining the word. For example: “You speak Hungarian as if it was your mother tongue.”

  • Mintha = “As if”
  • Anyanyelved = “(Your) mother tongue”

4- “Are you sure you’re not a professional soccer player?” (Biztos vagy benne, hogy nem egy profi focista vagy?)

Two Hearts Drawn in the Sand at the Beach

4. How to Make Your Compliments Sound More Sincere

Now you know quite a few Hungarian praises and compliments. However, when you’re complimenting someone, it’s crucial to sound sincere. You wouldn’t believe just any kind of compliment coming from just anybody either, right?

Exactly. We need to feel that the person actually means what they’re saying. Otherwise, we would just feel miserable and question ourselves about whether we did a good job or not.

These doubts can easily be eliminated if we work a little on our delivery.

So how can you make people actually believe that you really like their necklace or the speech they gave last week?

Here’s how:

1- Make eye-contact with the person.

Don’t be shy. Look the person you’re complimenting in the eyes. This way, they’ll surely know that you’re not lying.

2- Smile while you’re giving the compliment.

A smile is such a warm and sincere thing. If you compliment someone this way, there’s no way they could think you’re just playing with them.

3- Pay attention to details.

For example, if you’re complimenting something that someone wrote, it’s a nice touch to emphasize what in particular you liked about it (e.g. a section of text or idea they presented).

A Bouquet of Red Roses Behind Someone’s Back

5. What to Expect After Giving Compliments in Hungarian

You can very easily learn how to compliment and flirt in Hungarian, but you can never know for sure how the other person is going to take it. In some cultures, people pleasantly accept compliments and say “Thank you.” In some others, people feel uncomfortable and shy away from compliments.

If you compliment a Hungarian person, you can’t really anticipate how they’ll react. It very much depends on 1) your relationship with the person, 2) the situation, and 3) what you say.

Although, if we were to generalize what to expect based on how Hungarian people usually are, taking their personalities (as a nation) into consideration, you would probably experience the following:

  • If you decide to shoot ‘em Hungarian flirting phrases, there’s a fair chance that the receiving party will take it nicely. You’re likely to get a nice smile or even a laugh in return. But again, the situation plays a huge role in reactions.
  • However, if you compliment a Hungarian’s look or work, they’re likely to brush it off. They’ll simply say “thank you” and move on because 1) they don’t believe what you said (not necessarily because of you or the way you delivered the compliment), or 2) they think they can always perform better, so this compliment doesn’t really matter.

Keep in mind that there are always exceptions because we’re all different, of course. And that’s the beauty of it. You have to take risks and see how the person reacts to your compliment.

What about your culture? Would you react the same way as a Hungarian person would if someone complimented you?

A Man Handing a Flower to His Partner

6. Conclusion: HungarianPod101.com Helps You Reach Your Full Potential

This has probably been the most useful article we’ve written so far, huh? We agree. While there are many other important things that you should learn about the Hungarian language, compliments are indeed a crucial part of Hungarian society (or any society, to be honest).

As we said at the beginning, compliments are essential in our interactions with each other; they help us build trust and relationships. Compliments can serve as an act of kindness as well, because they tend to boost one’s self-esteem and trigger a feeling of pride in the person receiving the compliment.

So let’s see what useful things you’ve learned today:

  • The top Hungarian compliments for any situation
  • Beautiful Hungarian words for complimenting friends and family
  • Tips for flirting with the boy or girl of your dreams

Well, that’s it for now. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us in the comments. But the best solution is to become part of our HungarianPod101 family for good so that you can get help 24/7. The most important thing of all, though, is to remember that practice makes perfect.

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Gyermeknap: Celebrating Children’s Day in Hungary

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Do you remember being a kid? For me, any day off of iskola (“school”) was a treasure, and I would look forward to any and all vacations!

In Hungary, Children’s Day is a special occasion for every gyerek (“child”), a holiday set aside just for them. The importance of Children’s Day in Hungary can’t be overstated, as this is a time for parents and the general population to acknowledge children’s rights and make them feel loved.

In this article, you’ll learn about the origins of Children’s Day, Hungary’s typical celebrations and events for this holiday, and more.

Let’s get started.

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1. What is Children’s Day in Hungary?

A Group of Children Raising Their Hands

Originally, Hungary celebrated something called Children’s Week, beginning in 1931. However, since 1950, this is only a one-day holiday.

Like in other countries, the purpose of Children’s Day is to focus on the need for children’s rights, to shed light on the importance of children for the future, and to spend time with one’s own children. In Hungary, Children’s Day is often viewed as a perfect opportunity to educate children as well while they’re out and about with their parents and friends.

Children’s Day History

Children’s Day got its unofficial start in 1857, when Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard of Massachusetts gave a special sermon for and about children. Turkey was the first country to nationally declare Children’s Day a holiday, though; this happened several years later, in 1920. Nearly a decade later, Mustafa Atatürk (then-President of the Republic of Turkey) made this holiday official.

In 1950, this holiday began spreading to other countries, and today, approximately fifty countries hold some kind of Children’s Day celebration. Around this time, Children’s Day was largely a way of ensuring that children were treated properly, and according to their rights. There was also a focus on children’s general health and wellbeing.

The importance of Children’s Day has continued on even until today, though many parents also view this holiday as a time to just spoil their children!

2. When is Children’s Day?

Children’s Day is on a Sunday

Each year, Hungarians celebrate Children’s Day on the last Vasárnap (“Sunday”) of May. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years:

  • 2020: May 31
  • 2021: May 30
  • 2022: May 29
  • 2023: May 28
  • 2024: May 26
  • 2025: May 25
  • 2026: May 31
  • 2027: May 30
  • 2028: May 28
  • 2029: May 27

3. Children’s Day Celebrations in Hungary

Children Jumping Up in a Grassy Field

In larger cities like Budapest, there are numerous activities for Children’s Day going on, many of which are free to participate in for children under a certain age. For example, many scientific and historical museums have special programs or deals; other businesses may host entertaining educational events. Don’t be surprised to find bounce-houses in certain locations, either!

Many children like visiting the zoo, going out to eat at their favorite restaurant, and even just playing games at home if the weather is bad.

Regardless of a child’s interests, Children’s Day is a time to játszik (“play”) and enjoy time with one’s family. Many of the events we talked about are geared toward families, meaning that everyone can have some fun while celebrating Children’s Day!

4. Children’s Day at City Park

One of the most popular locations for families to spend the entire Children’s Day weekend is City Park in Budapest. Here, numerous activities take place, ensuring that there’s something for every child to enjoy!

While many of the events focus on educational topics such as science and culture, there are plenty of activities designed for pure fun, too. Puppet shows, dance performances, and a variety of games are just the tip of the iceberg. In 2019, a popular Hungarian Children’s Day attraction in City Park was a demonstration on horse therapy!

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for Children’s Day

A Kindergarten Class

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this lesson? Here are the most important words and phrases for Children’s Day in Hungary!

  • Vasárnap — “Sunday” [n.]
  • Gyerek — “Child” [n.]
  • Iskola — “School” [n.]
  • Lány — “Girl” [n.]
  • Fiú — “Boy” [n.]
  • Énekel — “Sing” [v.]
  • Gyermeknap — “Children’s Day” [n.]
  • Napközi — “Daycare” [n.]
  • Óvoda — “Kindergarten” [n.]
  • Játszik — “Play” [v.]
  • Változékony természetű — “Volatile”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Hungarian Children’s Day vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about Hungarian Children’s Day with us, and that you took away some valuable information about Hungarian culture.

Do you celebrate Children’s Day in your country? If so, what are celebrations like there? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!

To continue learning about Hungarian culture and the language, check out these free articles on HungarianPod101.com:

This only scratches the surface of everything HungarianPod101.com has to offer the aspiring Hungarian-learner, though. To make the most of your study time, create your free lifetime account today, or upgrade to our Premium or Premium PLUS plans for even more exclusive learning content.

We look forward to having you! Happy Children’s Day! 🙂

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Express Anger in Hungarian: 50 Angry Hungarian Phrases

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Does it bother you when you want to express how angry you are, but you don’t speak a common language with the person you’re mad at? If it does, search no more! We at HungarianPod101.com are going to make sure you get familiar with all the basic ways to express your anger in Hungarian.

Sometimes during a conflict abroad, it can be difficult to make yourself understood. After reading this article, you’ll never be at a loss for angry Hungarian phrases, we swear. No pun intended.

In this article, you’ll find the most common ways to express anger in Hungarian. Hungarians are known for their great variety of swear phrases; because their vocabulary is very broad, swearing combinations can be colorful as well. However, you don’t need to go to extremes and offend others. You can express your emotions in Hungarian clearly while still using good manners. If you’re interested, keep reading.

We hope you’re ready to learn about conveying anger in Hungarian phrases. If you’re still thirsty for knowledge after reading this summary of Hungarian swears, we got you! We have a separate vocabulary list of Phrases to Use When You’re Angry that you might want to read later. Now, let’s begin…

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Table of Contents

  1. Hungarian Angry Imperatives
  2. Angry Hungarian Questions
  3. More Angry Hungarian Expressions
  4. HungarianPod101.com Helps You Express Yourself in Hungarian

1. Hungarian Angry Imperatives

Complaints

Are you dying to know how to be mad in Hungarian? This section is a must for you then, as it contains the very basic imperatives you can use to express your emotions in Hungarian.

The first few sentences are also used in English, so you should have no problems understanding them. After the more familiar phrases, you’ll need to become familiarized with those that are unique to the Hungarian language. For these, we’ll provide you with further explanation.

  • “Shut up!” (Fogd be!)

When it’s your turn to speak during an argument, but somebody interrupts you, saying this is a great way to let them know that you want to finish what you started.

  • “Stop it!” (Hagyd abba!)
  • “That is enough!” (Most már elég!)
  • “Leave me alone!” (Hagyj békén!)
  • “Get lost!” (Tűnj el!)

If someone just doesn’t want to leave you alone, telling them Tűnj el! or “Get lost!” will surely make them get off your back.

  • “Get out of my way!” (Tűnj az utamból!)
  • “To hell with you!” (Pokolba veled!)
  • “Get out!” (Menj ki!)
  • “Watch your mouth!” (Vigyázz a szádra!)

If someone uses a curse word, you can warn them to watch what they’re saying with the phrase Vigyázz a szádra! or “Watch your mouth!” This is usually told to kids.

  • “Don’t make me angry!” (Ne mérgesíts fel!)
  • “Don’t make me say it twice!” (Ne mondjam kétszer!)

If you’re really angry and order someone to do something, but they’re reluctant, you can tell them these phrases to make them understand that you’ll be extremely pissed if they remain reluctant to do what you asked them to. This sentence is most often used in mother-child situations.

  • “Don’t make me do it!” (Ne akard, hogy megtegyem!)
  • “Don’t disturb me!” (Ne zavarj!)
  • “Don’t talk to me!” (Ne szólj hozzám!)
  • “Stay out of this!” (Maradj ki ebből!)

If someone is getting involved in a personal situation—most commonly a fight between two people or amongst two parties—that’s really none of their business, it’s utterly justified to tell them to stay out of it and mind their own business.

Graduation Cap on Top of Books

As mentioned earlier, Hungarian is a very diverse language. Thus, not all angry Hungarian phrases have literal English counterparts. An angry Hungarian can express their annoyance in many ways for which English doesn’t necessarily have words.

The following Hungarian swear phrases are also imperatives, though they might not be in English. Also, keep in mind that the actual meaning in English might make sense, even if it doesn’t seem to express anger. For this reason, you can see that the Hungarian versions are put first, followed by their literal English translation.

1- A fene vigyen el! (“I wish fene took you!” )

You can say this to people you’re really pissed at. It’s almost like a curse. Fene is a disease that causes sores to fester. The severity of this “curse” has lessened over the past few decades.

2- A ménkű üssön beléd! (“I wish ménkű hit you!” )

Ménkű is the countryside version of mennykő, which means “lightning.” Thus, the literal translation of this angry Hungarian phrase is “I wish you got struck by lightning!”

3- A macska rúgja meg! (“I wish the cat kicked it!” )

This sentence is a cute and funny way of showing that you’re annoyed or angry in Hungarian. It’s usually used by elders or in the presence of children. There’s a “dog version” of this saying as well, which is: A kutya vigye el! meaning “I wish the dog took it away!”

4- Húzz el innen! (“Pull yourself out of here!” )

This sentence has the same meaning as “Get out of here” or “Get lost.” However, this phrase is much less polite.

5- Az Isten verjen meg! (“I wish God beats you up!” )

Hungarians are quite religious, so the type of swear phrases that contain God and His anger are of high severity. This sentence isn’t used as much today as it was many years ago. Nowadays, it’s a more common curse phrase amongst elders.

6- Szakadjon rád az ég! (“I wish the sky fell on you!” )

Although this sentence doesn’t contain the word “God” itself, it refers to “the sky,” and thus heaven. For this reason, it’s a rather strong curse as well. At least, it used to be.

7- Fogd vissza magad! (“Restrain yourself!” )

You can say this to anybody who you think is crossing the line in terms of manners, or if they’re being disrespectful. This phrase has an ordering or warning tone, as in “Watch your temper or you will get in trouble.”

8- Hátrább az agarakkal! (“Backwards with the greyhounds!” )

This phrase has almost the same meaning as the previous one. It’s usually said to people who are being more irritable than necessary or being too pushy. Its literal meaning is “Get back with the greyhounds.”

9- Ne mérgelődj! (“Don’t be angry!” )

This sentence is said to people who seem to be angry for no good reason, as though they were quarreling with their own shadow.

10- Szállj le a magas lóról! (“Get off the high horse!” )

This angry Hungarian phrase is usually said to people who think they are above others. They act and speak as if they were of greater importance than those around them. With this sentence, you can call them out on this behavior and let them know they need to be more respectful toward you and humble themselves.

Does your language have unique expressions that only make sense in your language?

Close-up of Person Erasing Something on Paper

2. Angry Hungarian Questions

You don’t need imperatives alone to express your anger in Hungarian. Asking the right questions can let the other person know that you’re mad at them. In the following section, you can learn about angry Hungarian phrases in the form of a question.

  • “Are you kidding me?” (Most szórakozol velem?)
  • “Who do you think you are?” (Kinek képzeled magad?)

That last phrase is similar to Szállj le a magas lóról! or “Get off the high horse!” except that this one is in the form of a question. People usually ask this of a person who thinks they’re above everyone else.

  • “What did I just say?” (Mit mondtam az előbb?)
  • “Do you want me to slap you?” (Felpofozzalak?)
  • “Can’t you see?” (Nem látsz?)

You can use that last question if someone isn’t paying attention and, for example, bumped into you.

  • “What the hell are you doing?” (Mi a francot csinálsz?)
  • “Do you want trouble?” (Balhét akarsz?)

We don’t recommend that you use that last angry expression above, unless you yourself are looking for trouble. This question works as a threat to the person you address it to. It can be taken as an invitation to fight, usually physically.

  • “Are you out of your mind?” (Elment az eszed?)
  • “Which word do you not understand?” (Melyik szót nem érted?)
  • “What the hell is going on?” (Mi a pokol folyik itt?)

Just like with the imperatives earlier, there are some angry questions that are unique to Hungarian. We’ll outline each one individually for you below

Negative Verbs

1- Elvitte a macska a nyelvedet? (“Did the cat steal your tongue?” )

This is another typical angry Hungarian phrase used with kids. You can ask a child if “the cat stole their tongue” if they don’t want to speak to you. For example, you ask them a question but they won’t respond.

This is similar to the English expression “Cat got your tongue?” but the Hungarian version has an angrier connotation to it.

Elmentek otthonról? (“Have they gone away from home?” )

You can ask this to someone who you think has said something unreasonable or stupid. If “they have gone away from their home,” “home” being their head, it means that their brain is not in their head. Thus, they’re acting stupid.

Elgurult a gyógyszered? (“Did your pill roll away?” )

This sentence has the exact same meaning as the previous one, but it’s worded differently.

Káposztalé van az agyad helyén? (“Is there sauerkraut juice where your brain should be?” )

Sauerkraut is the German name for a European dish. In Hungarian, it’s called savanyúkáposzta. Savanyú means “sour” and káposzta means “cabbage.” The dish is finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria.

The translation of this angry Hungarian phrase speaks for itself. People usually say this to someone who appears silly or who said something that doesn’t make sense (making them appear stupid).

Elvarázsoltak? (“Have you been bewitched?” )

This is usually used with kids when they don’t listen to you, especially if they seem to be daydreaming instead of paying attention to what you’re saying to them.

Girl Studying in Front of a Green Background

3. More Angry Hungarian Expressions

Here’s the perfect chance to get familiar not only with angry Hungarian phrases, but also the meanings of the words in them. Here you’ll find the most common ways to express your anger in Hungarian.

These are just random sentences, neither imperatives nor questions—just basics that you’re very likely to hear from any angry Hungarian. We’ll provide explanations as needed, but most of these are pretty self-explanatory.

  • “You’re a douchebag.” (Egy szemétláda vagy.)
  • “I’ll cut you in half!”(Kettéváglak!)

That last sentence tends to leave a person’s mouth once they become very angry because of another person. They’re so angry with that person they could cut them in half.

  • “You’re out of your mind!” (Elment az eszed!)
  • “You’re stupid.” (Hülye vagy.)
  • “I hate you.” (Utállak!)
  • “You make me go crazy!” (Megőrjítesz!)
  • “Shoot!” (A fenébe!)
  • “I told you so!” (Én megmondtam!)
  • “You don’t want me to get angry!” (Ne akard, hogy mérges legyek!)

That last sentence is a bit ironic because the phrase itself sounds like a warning, like “You do not want me to get angry OR…” However, in such cases, the person is already angry with the other party.

  • “I’m going insane!” (Megőrülök!)

Note-taking in Front of a Beige Background

4. HungarianPod101.com Helps You Express Yourself in Hungarian

Now that you’re an expert in mild Hungarian swear words and you know how to get mad in Hungarian, you’ll never find yourself in a situation you can’t handle. All you have to do now is read through this list of common Hungarian angry phrases a couple more times to memorize all the words and phrases.

To make doubly sure that you learn everything about expressing anger in Hungarian phrases, and anything else you want to say, for that matter, join the HungarianPod101.com family and master tons of useful expressions.

An important thing you must remember though is that you can be angry with style and class. You don’t have to be vulgar or offend the other party. This applies to Hungarian swear phrases, as well as those in your own language.

Do you know how an angry Hungarian would say “Watch your mouth?” Impress us in the comments below.

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Essential Vocabulary for Life Events in Hungarian

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What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!

Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Hungary for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.

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Table of Contents

  1. Life Events
  2. Marriage Proposal Lines
  3. Talking About Age
  4. Conclusion

1. Life Events

Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Hungarian? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!

Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Hungarian, here at HungarianPod101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.

1- Birthday – születésnap

If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!

Your Hungarian friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Hungarian, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Hungarian is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:

Boldog születésnapot

Older Woman Blowing Out Candles on a Birthday Cake Surrounded by Friends.

Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Hungarian! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.

2- Buy – vásárol

If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Hungarian etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!

Two Women at a Counter in a Bookstore, One Buying a Book

3- Retire – nyugdíjba megy

If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Hungary, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!

Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…

4- Graduation – diploma szerzés

When attending a graduation ceremony in Hungary, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Hungarian you hear.

Lecturer or University Dean Congratulating and Handing Over Graduation Certificate to a Young Man on Graduation Day.

5- Promotion – előléptetés

Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.

6- Anniversary – évforduló

Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Hungarian.

7- Funeral – temetés

We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Hungary, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.

8- Travel – utazik

Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Hungarian immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.

Young Female Tourist with a Backpack Taking a Photo of the Arc de Triomphe

9- Graduate – elvégezni az iskolát

If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Hungary afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!

10- Wedding – esküvő

One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.

Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!

Married Couple During Reception, Sitting at Their Table While a Young Man Gives a Wedding Speech

11- Move – költözik

I love Hungary, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!

12- Be born – születik

I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Hungarian?

13- Get a job – munkát talál

The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Hungary – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Hungarian introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Hungarian?

Group of People in Gear that Represent a Number of Occupations.

14- Die – meghal

Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!

15- Home – otthon

If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.

If you’re traveling to Hungary for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

Large, Double-Story House with Lit Windows.

16- Job – munka

What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!

17- Birth – születés

Random question: do you know the birth rate of Hungary?

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!

Crying Newborn Baby Held By a Doctor or Nurse in a Hospital Theatre

18- Engaged – eljegyzi

EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!

In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!

Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Hungary is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.

Speaking of romance, do you know how to say “Happy Valentine’s Day” in Hungarian?

19- Marry – házasságot köt

The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.

From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

Marriage Proposal Lines

Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.

Man on His Knee Proposing to a Woman on a Bridge.

How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Hungarian?

3. Talking About Age

Talking about Age

Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!

When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.

In Hungary, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!

4. Conclusion

Well, there you have it! With so many great new Hungarian phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, HungarianPod101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at HungarianPod101:

  • Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Hungarian with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Hungarian dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about HungarianPod101…!
  • Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!
  • Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Hungarian teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
  • Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Hungarian word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Hungarian level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in HungarianPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Hungarian.

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Talk About the Weather in Hungarian Like a Native

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Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet.

So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new Hungarian acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals.

HungarianPod101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans. After all, you wouldn’t want to get caught on an inflatable boat with a two-horsepower motor in Hurricane Horrendous!

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Table of Contents

  1. Talking about the weather in Hungary
  2. Words for the first day of spring
  3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?
  4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary
  5. Winter
  6. HungarianPod101 can prepare you for any season.

1. Talking about the weather in Hungary

Talking About Weather

If you’re like me, your day’s activity plan is likely to begin with a strong local coffee and a chat about what the sky is doing. After all, being prepared could be the difference between an amazing day and a miserable one! Luckily, it’s not difficult to comment on Hungarian weather – just start with these simple words and phrases.

1- The rain is falling on the street – Az utcán esik az eső.

Watercolor artists, take out your paints! You might not be able to venture out on foot today, but just embrace the rain as part of your Hungarian experience. When the rain stops, the air will be clean and colours vibrant.

2- The snow has covered everything – A hó mindent betakart.

A fresh blanket of snow is irresistibly beautiful. Pull on your boots and beanie, and leave your tracks in this foreign landscape. Don’t resist the urge to build a snowman – you need this!

3- Fluffy cloud – bárányfelhő

When you’re waiting for a warm beach day, fluffy white clouds in a blue sky are a good sign. Don’t forget your sunscreen, as clouds will intensify the UV rays hitting your skin.

Fluffy White Cloud in Clear Blue Sky

4- The water froze on the glass – Megfagyott a víz az üvegen.

Night temperatures can get chilly and might freeze the condensation on your windows. A good way to clear them up is with warm salt water.

5- The heavy rain could cause flash flooding – Ez a felhőszakadás áradásokat okozhat.

If you’re visiting Hungary in the wet season, it’s important to stay informed when heavy rain sets in, so keep an eye on the weather radar. Avoid river activities and rather spend this time making a home-cooked meal and brushing up on your Hungarian weather words.

Heavy Rain in a Park

6- Flood – árvíz

If you do get caught in a flood, your destination should no longer be ‘home’, but the nearest high ground.

7- The typhoon has hit – A tájfun lecsapott.

Not all countries experience typhoons, but you need to know when to prepare for one! It will be very scary if you’ve never experienced one before. Your local neighbours are the best people to advise you on where to take shelter, as they’ve been doing it for generations. Be sure to get the low-down at the first sign of rough weather!

8- Check the weather report before going sailing – Nézd meg az időjárás jelentést mielőtt vitorlázni mész.

When planning an outdoor activity, especially on a body of water, always be prepared for a change in the weather. Ask your hotel receptionist or neighbour where you can get a reliable daily weather report, and don’t forget your sweater!

Two Men on Sailboat

9- Today’s weather is sunny with occasional clouds – Ma az időjárás napsütéses, időkénti felhősödéssel.

Sunny weather is the dream when traveling in Hungary! Wake up early, pack the hats and sunblock and go and experience the terrain, sights and beautiful spots. You’ll be rewarded with happy vibes all around.

10- A rainy day – egy esős nap

Remember when you said you’d save the Hungarian podcasts for a rainy day? Now’s that day!

11- Rainbow – szivárvány

The best part about the rain is that you can look forward to your first rainbow in Hungary. There’s magic in that!

12- Lightning – villámlás

Lightning is one of the most fascinating weather phenomena you can witness without really being in danger – at least if you’re sensible and stay indoors! Did you know that lightning strikes the earth 40-50 times per second? Fortunately, not all countries experience heavy electric storms!

Electric Storm

13- 25 degrees Celsius – 25 Celsius fok

Asking a local what the outside temperature will be is another useful question for planning your day. It’s easy if you know the Hungarian term for ‘degrees Celsius’.

14- His body temperature was far above the usual 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit – A testhőmérséklete messze a normál 98,6 Farenheit fok felett volt.

Although the Fahrenheit system has been replaced by Celsius in almost all countries, it’s still used in the US and a few other places. Learn this phrase in Hungarian in case one of your companions develops a raging fever.

15- Clear sky – tiszta égbolt

Clear skies mean you’ll probably want to get the camera out and capture some nature shots – not to mention the great sunsets you’ll have later on. Twilight can lend an especially magical quality to a landscape on a clear sky day, when the light is not filtered through clouds.

Hikers on Mountain with Clear Sky

16- Drizzle – szitáló eső

Days when it’s drizzling are perfect for taking in the cultural offerings of Hungary. You could go to the mall and watch a Hungarian film, visit museums and art galleries, explore indoor markets or even find the nearest climbing wall. Bring an umbrella!

17- Temperature on a thermometer – hőmérséklet a hőmérőn

Because of the coronavirus, many airports are conducting temperature screening on passengers. Don’t worry though – it’s just a precaution. Your temperature might be taken with a no-touch thermometer, which measures infrared energy coming off the body.

18- Humid – párás

I love humid days, but then I’m also a water baby and I think the two go
together like summer and rain. Find a pool or a stream to cool off in – preferably in the shade!

Humidity in Tropical Forest

19- Humidity – páratartalom

Days with low humidity are the best to go walking the hills and vales. Just take at least one Hungarian friend with you so you don’t get lost!

20- Wind – szél

A strong wind blows away the air pollution and is very healthy in that respect. Just avoid the mountain trails today, unless you fancy being blown across the continent like a hot air balloon.

21- It’s windy outside – Kint szeles az idő.

Wind! My least favourite weather condition. Of course, if you’re a kitesurfer, a windy day is what you’ve been waiting for!

Leaves and Umbrella in the Wind

22- Wet roads can ice over when the temperature falls below freezing – A nedves utak lefagyhatnak ha a hőmérséklet nulla fok alá esik.

The roads will be dangerous in these conditions, so please don’t take chances. The ice will thaw as soon as the sun comes out, so be patient!

23- Today is very muggy – Ma nagyon fülledt az idő.

Muggy days make your skin feel sticky and sap your energy. They’re particular to high humidity. Cold shower, anyone? Ice vest? Whatever it takes to feel relief from the humidity!

24- Fog – köd

Not a great time to be driving, especially in unknown territory, but keep your fog lights on and drive slowly.

Fog on a Pond with Ducks

25- Hurricane – hurrikán

Your new Hungarian friends will know the signs, so grab some food and candles and prepare for a night of staying warm and chatting about wild weather in Hungary.

Palm Trees in a Hurricane

26- Big tornado – nagy tornádó

If you hear these words, it will probably be obvious already that everyone is preparing for the worst! Definitely do whatever your accommodation hosts tell you to do when a tornado is expected.

27- It’s cloudy today – Ma felhős az idő.

While there won’t be any stargazing tonight, the magnificent clouds over Hungary will make impressive photographs. Caption them in Hungarian to impress your friends back home!

Cloudy Weather on Beach with Beach Huts

28- Below freezing temperatures – fagypont alatt

When the temperature is below freezing, why not take an Uber and go shopping for some gorgeous Hungarian winter gear?

Woman with Winter Gear in Freezing Weather

29- Wind chill – hidegérzet

Wind doesn’t change the ambient temperature of the air, it just changes your body temperature, so the air will feel colder to you than it actually is.

30- Water will freeze when the temperature falls below zero degrees celsius – Nulla celsius fok alatt a víz megfagy

If you’re near a lake, frozen water is good news! Forgot your ice skates? Don’t despair – find out where you can hire some. Be cautious, though: the ice needs to be at least four inches thick for safe skating. Personally, I just slide around on frozen lakes in my boots!

Thermometer Below Freezing Point

31- Waiting to clear up – várja hogy kitisztuljon

Waiting for the weather to clear up so you can go exploring is frustrating, let’s be honest. That’s why you should always travel with two things: a scintillating novel and your Hungarian Nook Book.

32- Avoid the extreme heat – kerüljük el a rekkenő hőséget

Is the heat trying to kill you? Unless you’re a hardened heatwave hero, definitely avoid activity, stay hydrated and drink electrolytes. Loose cotton or linen garb is the way to go!

Hand Holding a Melting Ice Cream

33- Frost – dér

Frost is water vapour that has turned to ice crystals and it happens when the earth cools so much in the night, that it gets colder than the air above it. Winter is coming!

34- Shower – zápor

Rain showers are typically brief downpours that drench the earth with a good drink of water.

35- In the evening it will become cloudy and cold – Estére beborul és lehűl az idő.

When I hear this on the Hungarian weather channel, I buy a bottle of wine (red, of course) and wood for the fireplace. A cold and cloudy evening needs its comforts!

Snow in the Park at Night

36- Severe thunderstorm – heves vihar

Keep an eye on the Hungarian weather maps if it looks like a big storm is coming, so you’ll be well-informed.

37- Ice has formed on the window – Az ablak bejegesedett.

You could try this phrase out on the hotel’s helpful cleaning staff, or fix the problem yourself. Just add a scoop or two of salt to a spray bottle of water – that should work!

38- Large hailstones – nagy szemű jégeső

As a kid, I found hail crazy exciting. Not so much now – especially if I’m on the road and large hailstones start pummeling my windscreen!

Large Hailstones on a Wooden Floor

39- Thunder – mennydörgés

The rumble of rolling thunder is that low-volume, ominous background sound that goes on for some time. It’s strangely exciting if you’re safely in your hotel room; it could either suddenly clear up, or escalate to a storm.

40- Sleet – ónos eső

Sleet is tiny hard pieces of ice made from a mixture of rain and melted snow that froze. It can be messy, but doesn’t cause major damage the way hail does. Pretty cool to know this word in Hungarian!

2. Words for the first day of spring

You know the feeling: your heart skips a beat when you wake up and spring has sprung! Spring will reward you with new blossoms everywhere, birdsong in the air, kittens being born in the neighborhood and lovely views when you hit the trails. Pack a picnic and ask a new Hungarian friend to show you the more natural sights. Don’t forget a light sweater and a big smile. This is the perfect time to practice some Hungarian spring words!

Spring Vocabulary

3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?

Summer! Who doesn’t love that word? It conjures up images of blue skies, tan skin, vacations at the beach and cruising down the coast in an Alfa Romeo, sunglasses on and the breeze in your hair. Of course, in Hungary there are many ways to enjoy the summer – it all depends on what you love to do. One thing’s for sure: you will have opportunities to make friends, go on picnics, sample delicious local ice-cream and maybe even learn to sing some Hungarian songs. It’s up to you! Sail into Hungarian summer with this summer vocab list, and you’ll blend in with ease.

Four Adults Playing on the Beach in the Sand

4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary

Victoria Ericksen said, “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour,” and I agree. Who can resist the beauty of fall foliage coloring the Hungarian landscape? Birds prepare to migrate; travelers prepare to arrive for the best weather in Hungary.

The autumnal equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night almost equal in length. The cool thing about this event is that the moon gets really bright – the ‘harvest moon’, as it’s traditionally known.

So, as much as the change of season brings more windy and rainy days, it also brings celebration. Whether you honor Thanksgiving, Halloween or the Moon Festival, take some time to color your vocabulary with these Hungarian autumn words.

Autumn Phrases

5. Winter

Winter is the time the natural world slows down to rest and regroup. I’m a summer girl, but there are fabulous things about winter that I really look forward to. For one, it’s the only season I get to accessorize with my gorgeous winter gloves and snug down coat!

Then, of course, there’s ice skating, holiday decorations and bonfires. As John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Get ready for the cold season with our list of essential Winter words!

Skier Sitting in the Snow

6. HungarianPod101 can prepare you for any season.

Now that you know how to inquire and comment on the weather in Hungary, you
can confidently plan your weather-ready travel itinerary. How about this for an idea: the next
time you’re sitting in a Hungarian street café, try asking someone local this question:

“Do you think the weather will stay like this for a few days?” If you loved learning these cool Hungarian weather phrases with us, why not take it a step further and add to your repertoire? HungarianPod101 is here to help!

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Nemzetközi nőnap: International Women’s Day in Hungary

Nemzetközi nőnap, or International Women’s Day in Hungary, is a special holiday set aside just for women. In Hungary, Women’s Day means lots of gift-giving and showing one’s appreciation for the most important women in one’s life. Every hölgy, or “lady,” enjoys receiving gifts and sweet wishes.

In this article, you’ll learn all about celebrating International Women’s Day in Hungary! Let’s get started.

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1. What is International Women’s Day?

Starting with the International Women’s Day history, this holiday can be traced back to 1909, when the Socailist Party of America organized an event for women in New York. This idea for a Women’s Day quickly spread to Europe, which had its first Women’s Day celebrations in 1911. In 1913, Hungary joined those countries where women are celebrated on this day, but the date became mandatory only in the Rákosi era, in 1948.

Each year on International Women’s Day, people show respect, admiration, and appreciation for the women in their life. The meaning behind Women’s Day varies slightly from one country to the next. For example, some countries have a greater focus on women’s achievements than others, and some focus more on promoting women’s rights.

In Hungary, many people have mixed feelings about International Women’s Day. Some people say that there’s no need to have a separate date to show our love and respect toward women, because these feelings aren’t only for one day. Others have a bitter taste in their mouth because of the communist background of this day, which is connected to labor movements.

If we are talking about Women’s Day, we should also mention that women in Hungary have been celebrated for centuries. Their day was March 25, the Day of the Annunciation. According to common belief, this was the day that Virgin Mary invited Jesus Christ into her womb. This Catholic celebration is about respect and appreciation for women, mothers, and fertility. Those who don’t like celebrating women on this day have a valid reason, saying Hungary has its own, centuries-old date to celebrate women, which is free of any political connotations.

    → HungarianPod101 has a vocabulary list on Religion if you want to learn more important words.

2. When is International Women’s Day?

A Woman Sitting at a Desk

Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8.

3. How to Celebrate International Women Day

Woman Smelling a Bouquet of Flowers

In Hungary, Women’s Day traditions always involve gifting women with flowers and kind words. Men give these gifts to the most important women in their lives; women often find them waiting on their desk at work, and girls still in school may also find flowers on their school desk when they arrive!

One of the most popular International Women’s Day flowers in Hungary is the hóvirág, or “snowdrop,” which is labeled the messenger of spring. However, do be very careful when presenting a woman with snowdrops. Since 2005, buying and selling cut snowdrop flowers has been illegal. You can still offer snowdrops as a potted plant, though. Many women also enjoy receiving a tulipán, or “tulip.”

4. Men’s Day?

Do you know why there is no Men’s Day in Hungary?

When men complain about the lack of Men’s Day, they get the following answer from ladies: “The other 364 days of the year are already Men’s Day!”

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for International Women’s Day

A Single Snowdrop Flower

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this article? Here’s a list of the most important Hungarian words and phrases for International Women’s Day!

  • Gyönyörű — “Beautiful”
  • Hölgy — “Lady”
  • Szeret — “Love”
  • Tulipán — “Tulip”
  • — “Woman”
  • Férfi — “Man”
  • Virág — “Flower”
  • Nemzetközi nőnap — “International Women’s Day”
  • Ajándékoz — “Present”
  • Nemzetközi — “International”
  • Hóvirág — “Snowdrop”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Hungarian International Women’s Day vocabulary list.

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about International Women’s Day in Hungary with us. Do you celebrate Women’s Day in your country, or honor women another way? Let us know in the comments! We always love hearing from you.

If you’re fascinated with Hungarian culture and can’t get enough, be sure to check out the following pages on HungarianPod101.com:

Whatever your reasons for developing an interest in Hungarian culture or the beautiful language, know that HungarianPod101.com is the best way to expand your knowledge and improve your skills. With tons of fun, immersive lessons for learners at every level, there’s something for everyone!

Create your free lifetime account today, and start learning Hungarian with us.

Happy International Women’s Day from the HungarianPod101 family!

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The Hungarian Calendar: Talking About Dates in Hungarian

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Did you know there are many different types of calendars?

As you probably know – a calendar is a system of organizing days in weeks and months for specific purposes, according to Wikipedia.

Worldwide, most countries use the Gregorian calendar. Some just work on the same framework, meaning that time is divided into units based on the earth’s movement around the sun – the “solar calendar”. Other calendars keep time by observing the moon’s movements, a combination of the moon and the sun’s movements, and seasons.

Through HungarianPod101, you can learn all about this and so much more! Our themed, culturally relevant lessons are skillfully designed so you can do your planning perfectly for a holiday or a date.

Having a good plan for a visit or a trip is like studying well for an exam. You’re just so much better prepared! For that, you could well need specific phrases to plan around appointments and such, especially on business trips. Make sure to use the charts we provide here with the days of the week in Hungarian, as well as the months in Hungarian to navigate your way as you plan. Great resources!

Also – always remember to have fun!

Table of Contents

  1. Why Will It Help To Know How To Talk About Dates in Hungarian?
  2. Talking About your Plans
  3. Can HungarianPod101 Help You In Other Ways Too?

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1. Why Will It Help To Know How To Talk About Dates in Hungarian?

Days of the Week

Well, that’s not a difficult question to answer. No matter why you’re travelling, it would be best to at least know the names of days and months in Hungarian. You don’t want to miss your flight or an appointment because you confused “péntek” (Friday) with “szombat” (Saturday)! Or maybe you planned a holiday for “július” (July), but you booked a flight for “június” (June) by accident!

Avoid this confusion by learning the Hungarian calendar before you leave.

Now, as promised, the 15 phrases to help you make and discuss plans.

2. Talking About your Plans

Months of the Year

Perhaps you’re working in Hungary, or maybe you’re enjoying a prolonged holiday. Fabulous! Memorize these phrases so you can be sure to successfully negotiate meetings, appointments, dates, events, the list goes on!

1. Mit csinálsz a hétvégén?

“What are you doing this weekend?”

This question is usually a preamble to inviting someone somewhere. Given that it’s over the weekend, it probably means a casual get-together or another social event. (But not necessarily! A manager or boss could also ask this for entirely different reasons.)

It’s a handy phrase to know when you’ve made Hungarian or expat friends in the country. Or, be the one doing the inviting. Then train your ear to learn the following phrases so you can understand the response.

2. Ezen a hétvégén utazom.

“I am traveling this weekend.”

This could be a reply if you’re not available because you’re doing other fun stuff.

No matter why you are visiting Hungary, do take the time to explore the country! It’s beautiful and it has so many wonderful, interesting spots ready to be visited.

Couple at booking in Desk

3. Azt tervezem, hogy otthon maradok.

“I am planning to stay at home.”

Maybe you feel unwell, but don’t want to give too much information? Or maybe you have work to do? Perhaps you just need some quiet gardening time…it doesn’t matter. This response is polite and honest without oversharing.

It could also be a slightly open-ended response, depending on how you deliver it. Because hey, being home could still mean your plans are flexible, right?

That said – depending on your relationship with the inviter, nuances like these will probably not be so apparent in a foreign culture. So, best to use this excuse for declining an invitation only if you are truly set on staying in.

Woman Doing Gardening

4. Ezen a héten elfoglalt vagyok.

“This week I am busy.”

Another polite phrase that gives a reason for declining an invitation but without oversharing details.

Don’t decline too many invitations, though! You don’t want people to think that you’re too busy to hang out with them. They will stop inviting you out, and you know how the saying goes – all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…! Being social is good for the soul.

5. Holnap szabad vagyok.

“I am free tomorrow.”

Yay! Perhaps you were approached by that person and they asked about your availability for a date. This would be a fine reply. Not too eager, but still indicating that you’re interested.

Or maybe you’re just replying to a colleague or manager’s request for a meeting. Polite, honest and clear.

Alternatively, you’re just busy right now, and plans are not going the way they were…well, planned. Compromise is a lovely thing! And this phrase sounds just like that.

Use it to indicate that you want to accommodate an invitation or the inviter’s plans, despite your current unavailability. Only if you are really free, of course.

6. Átütemezhetnénk ezt?

“Can we reschedule this?”

So, life happened and you are unable to meet obligations or attend a planned meeting. This is a suitable question to ask if you wish to indicate your willingness to still engage with whatever is on the table.

Obviously you should (ideally) not ask to reschedule a party or big meeting! (Unless you’re the boss or it’s your own party, of course.) But if there’s reasonable wiggle room regarding arrangements, then this one’s your question.

Business Man Sitting with Schedule

7. Hónap végén lesz elég időm.

“I will have enough time at the end of the month.”

A go-to phrase when events or activities are likely to take up a lot of your time, such as going away for a weekend, spending the day at a local market, or writing your manager’s quarterly report (with 20 flow-charts in Powerpoint) – anything that won’t only take an hour or two.

8. Mi a legjobb időpont neked?

“When is the best time that suits you?”

Remember phrase #5? That was a possible reply to this question. Asked by your crush, very possibly! Or, it could be asked by any other person for any other reason, doesn’t matter.

If this is addressed to you, it usually means that the person respects your time and schedule, which is a good thing. It probably also means that their own schedule is flexible, another good thing.

This is also a polite question to ask when a manager or senior colleague wants to meet with you. Let them decide on the time, and be as accommodating as possible. This attitude shows respect for seniority – good for career building. (Within reason, of course. You don’t need to postpone your wedding or your paid-up holiday to Australia because your manager wants to see you.)

Screen Tablet Hotel

9. Ez az időpont jó neked?

“Is this date OK with you?”

But – if the other party insists that you choose a time for a meeting, appointment, or date etc., then do so! Respond with this nice, somewhat casual question that leaves space for negotiation, but only needs a simple reply.

Suitable for friends, and casual acquaintances and colleagues.

10. Azon a napon szabad vagy?

“Are you available on that day?”

This is the a-bit-more-formal version of the previous question. Again, it has room for negotiation, but only needs a simple response – nice and neat!

Maybe this is the go-to question when you’re addressing your seniors at work, or a person much older than you.

11. Meg tudjuk csinálni a lehető leghamarabb?

“Can we do it as soon as possible?”

This question has an urgency to it that should preferably be responded to with the same. A simple reply will be good – yes or no. Less negotiable, this is still polite because it’s a question that gives you a choice.

But stand ready with one of the phrases in this article to help tie down a time and date!

Couple Getting Engaged on a Bridge

12. Minden este elérhető vagyok.

“I’m available every evening”

If you’re going to reply with this phrase, context is everything.

– If it’s your manager asking you to put in a bit of overtime, and you are available to – great reply! When deadlines are tight and everybody is stressing, your willingness to go the extra mile can only improve your relationship with your boss.

(Still, no need to be a doormat! If you get asked to work overtime too often, or if everyone else is goofing around while you have to graft, then re-evaluate the situation. And if you feel you’re being exploited a bit, don’t stress! Equip yourself with the diplomatic, yet assertive responses right in this article.)

– If it’s an old friend or longtime significant other asking to hang out – good reply. You know one another and appearances don’t matter any longer.

– If it’s a new crush who just asked when you’d be available for a date – stop. Not such a great reply. Tone down a bit! “Interested but not overly eager” is what you’re going for here.

Refer back to response #5, or use a counter-question, such as #1. Whatever suits you.

But if they – or anyone else – invite you to scale the Himalayas with them, then the next phrase will probably be the only sane response!

Mountaineer in Snow

13. Ezt jó előre meg kell terveznem.

“I need to plan this well in advance.”

So, as said under #9, perhaps you’re invited to join someone conquer the Himalayas.

Or your company manager wants you to plan the Party that Tops All Year-End Parties Forever.

Simply – if you get asked to do something that you know will need a lot of thorough planning, this is a good phrase to respond with.

It’s an assertive phrase that demonstrates two things regarding your attitude:

a) That you know your own abilities, and respect your own schedule.
b) That your respect other people’s time and schedule too.

Then just be sure to actually do that planning well in advance!

14. Keresnünk kell egy másik dátumot.

“We need to find another date.”

So, you’re in negotiations regarding a date.

This is an assertive statement that should probably not be used with a “My way or the highway” attitude.

That stuff only works in the movies – think sharp-tongued Samuel L. Jackson. Or fierce Kristen Stewart. Yea, they can be scary, so tone down that tone.

Also, be mindful that fickle people who change plans all the time don’t keep friends! Taking others’ needs into consideration, while simultaneously having your way is a delicate art that takes proper cultivation. Use this phrase sparingly – we have better ones here to negotiate with.

Rock Concert Hands in the Air

Of course, if your planned trip to the dentist falls on the same day as the only Billie Eilish concert close by…well, priorities are priorities. Feel free to call the dentist with this phrase. Or even better, use the next one.

15. Nem tudom megcsinálni azon a napon.

“I cannot do it on that day.”

This is the low-key-but-still-firm cousin of the previous phrase. You’re stating a personal fact, and depending on your tone, this can be as non-negotiable as you prefer.

Again, only use this when you really mean it, if you’re visiting Hungary or any other foreign country.

So, that’s it, folks! Which phrase did you find the most helpful? Let us know in the comments!

3. Can HungarianPod101 Help You In Other Ways Too?

Numbers

Well yes, of course!

We think you will find these phrases easy to use when talking about dates and months in Hungarian. But knowing how to employ them properly could help you avoid sticky situations!

HungarianPod101 is uniquely geared to help you with this and so much more.

This InnovativeLanguage.com initiative is one of many online language-learning courses. With us, you’ll find it easy and fun to learn a new language, and here are a few reasons why:

  • Immediately upon enrollment, you’ll receive hundreds of well-designed lessons to get you going.
  • Watch superb recordings of native Hungarian speakers in cool slide-shows – the easy way to practice till you sound just like a native speaker yourself!
  • Also immediately upon enrollment, you’ll get access to a huge library of free resources! These include extensive, theme-based Vocabulary Lists and a Word of the Day List (For free, hot bargains!) These alone are sure to give your vocab-learning boxing gloves.
  • You’ll also immediately be able to use an excellent and free Hungarian online dictionary. Necessary for quick, handy translations, no matter where you find yourself.
  • For the serious learner, there are numerous enrollment upgrades available, one of which offers you a personal, online Hungarian host. Allow us to hold your hand and support you in your learning!

If you’re serious about mastering Hungarian easily yet correctly, HungarianPod101 is definitely one of, if not the best, online language learning platforms available. Talking about your plans or dates in Hungarian need not ever spoil your stay.

So, hurry up—enroll today!

Learn How to Talk About Your Family in Hungarian

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Did you know that only some reptiles and birds don’t parent their offspring? Except for crocodiles, all reptiles (and one family of bird species called megapodes) hatch from eggs and grow up alone, without any family.

The rest of us need family if we are to survive and thrive – humans and animals alike!

At HungarianPod101, we know how important family is. Therefore, we take care to teach you all the important vocabulary and phrases pertaining to family.

Table of Contents

  1. Why Is It Important to Know Hungarian Vocabulary about Family?
  2. Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first
  3. How HungarianPod101 Can Help You Learn Hungarian Family Terms

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1. Why Is It Important to Know Hungarian Vocabulary about Family?

Lioness with Cub

Well, if you’re serious about studying any new language, then learning about the most important social unit in Hungarian culture would be a crucial part of your education.

What is family, though? Strictly speaking, it’s a group of people who live together and are supposed to take care of one another. Some of them are genetically linked.

Family isn’t just about who we’re related to by blood, of course. It’s also one of the main influences in shaping every child’s life.

Family is Important for Children’s Healthy Development

Phrases Parents Say

Family is the single most important influence in a child’s life. Children depend on parents and family to protect them and provide for their needs from the day they were born.

Primary caregivers, which usually comprise parents and family, form a child’s first relationships. They are a child’s first teachers and are role models that show kids how to act and experience the world around them.

By nurturing and teaching children during their early years, families play an important role in making sure children are ready to learn when they enter school.

Families Can Take All Shapes and Sizes

However, the way families are put together is by no means standard.

Mom and Daughter

Single-parent and same-gender households have become a new norm the past few decades, and there’s no shame in this. When there is love, connection and proper care, a child can thrive anywhere.

Everyone also knows that sometimes friends can become like family and remain with us for life, because it’s all about human connection.

After all, we share many commonalities simply because we’re human, and we are programmed to connect with one another and belong to a group. This is very important for our well-being and survival.

It’s All About Feeling Connected

As John Northman, a psychologist from Buffalo, NY, told WebMD – feeling connected to others contributes to mental as well as physical health.

He pointed out that when people feel connected, they feel better physically, and they’re also less likely to feel depressed.

Couples Chatting

Or, if they do feel depressed, they’d be in a better position to get out of it when they feel they are connecting with others. This is because they would be psychologically supported too, Northman said.

There has even been some links drawn between addiction and feeling disconnected from others. According to an article in Psychology Today, research indicates that addiction is not solely a substance disorder, but also affected by people feeling insecurely attached to others.

It showed that securely attached individuals tend to feel comfortable in and enjoy life, while insecurely attached people typically struggle to fit in and connect.

2. Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first

So, it’s clear that for most of us, family is our entry point into connection and belonging. This is true of every culture, so in every country, family takes prominence.

For this reason, HungarianPod101 offers culturally-relevant lessons that will equip you well to understand families in Hungary.

Here are some of the most important Hungarian vocabulary and quotes about family and parenting!

A) Hungarian Family Vocabulary

Let’s start with the basic vocabulary. Without this collection of words, you’ll have a hard time describing any member of your family at all.

Family Terms
Family
család
Great grandfather
dédnagypapa
Mother
anya
Grandmother
nagymama
Father
apa
Grandfather
nagypapa
Wife
feleség
Grandchild
unoka
Husband
férj
Granddaughter
unoka
Parent
szülő
Grandson
unoka
Child
gyerek
Aunt
nagynéni
Daughter
lánya
Uncle
nagybácsi
Sister
lánytestvér
Niece
unokahúg
Brother
fivér
Nephew
unokaöcs
Younger sister
húg
Younger brother
öccs
Older brother
báty
Great grandmother
dédnagymama
Cousin
unokatestvér
Mother-in-law
anyós
Father-in-law
após
Sister-in-law
sógornő
Brother-in-law
sógor
Partner
társ

Family of Three

B) Quotes About Family

Hungarian Family Quotes

One of the ways to improve your Hungarian language skills is by memorizing quotes from books, or poems.

Either source some from Hungarian literature, or make use of ours!

Nem válaszhatod meg, ki legyen a családod. Ők Isten ajándéka számodra, ahogy te magad is az vagy a családod számára.

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” – Desmond Tutu

A család nem egy fontos dolog. A család a legfontosabb.

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” – Michael J. Fox

A család azt jelenti, hogy senki nincs elhagyva, senki nincs elfelejtve.

“Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” – David Ogden Stiers

A családom jelenti nekem az erőt és egyben a gyengeséget.

“My family is my strength and my weakness.” – Aishwarya Rai

A család a természet egyik remekműve.

“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” – George Santayana

Nehéz időkben a család az, aki támogat.

“When trouble comes, it’s your family that supports you.” – Guy Lafleur

A család az emberi társadalom első nélkülözhetetlen sejtje.

“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” – Pope John XXIII

Nincs olyan, ami az egész családnak szórakozás lenne.

“There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” – Jerry Seinfeld

Meg kell védened a becsületed. És a családod.

“You have to defend your honor. And your family.” – Suzanne Vega

A boldog családok mind hasonlók egymáshoz, minden boldogtalan család a maga módján az.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy

C) Test Your Knowledge!

Do you feel you have learned a lot in this blog? Let’s quickly test that!

In the table below, match the Hungarian vocabulary on the left with the definition of the relative in the right column.

MY RELATIVES
Relative Name Definition
1. család a. My male child
2. anya b. My older male sibling
3. apa c. My female sibling
4. feleség d. My child’s child
5. férj e. My child’s female child
6. társ f. My female parent
7. gyerek g. My grandparent’s mother
8. lánya h. Mother to one of my parents
9. fia i. Relatives
10. lánytestvér j. My female child
11. fivér k. My younger male sibling
12. húg l. Male spouse
13. öccs m. The father of one of my parents
14. báty n. My child’s male child
15. dédnagymama o. My children’s father or mother
16. dédnagypapa p. The sister of one of my parents
17. nagymama q. The brother of one of my parents
18. nagypapa r. My male parent
19. unoka s. My sibling’s female child
20. unoka t. My sibling’s male child
21. unoka u. My male sibling
22. nagynéni v. My parents’ sibling’s child
23. nagybácsi w. Female spouse
24. unokahúg x. The grandfather of one of my parents
25. unokaöcs y. The person I am a parent to
26. unokatestvér z. My younger female sibling

How did it go? Don’t worry if you had trouble with it – you’ll get there! With a bit of practice, and our help at HungarianPod101, you’ll soon have these family terms under the belt.

Family Shopping

3. How HungarianPod101 Can Help You Learn Hungarian Family Terms

We hope that we helped you expand your family in Hungarian vocabulary!

HungarianPod101, with its innovative online learning system, stands out among online learning platforms to help you master Hungarian easily.

Our lessons are tailored not only to increase your language skills, but to also inform you of Hungarian culture, including the Hungarian family structure.

When you sign up, you will get instant access to tools like:

1 – An extensive vocabulary list, regularly updated
2 – A new Hungarian word to learn every day
3 – Quick access to the Hungarian Key Phrase List
4 – A free Hungarian online dictionary
5 – The excellent 100 Core Hungarian Word List
6 – An almost limitless Lesson Library for learners of all levels

Further speed up your learning with the help of a personal tutor, who will first assess your current Hungarian language abilities to personalize your training and tailor it to your needs.

Hard work always pays off, and to help you in this, HungarianPod101 will be there every step of the way toward your Hungarian mastery!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Family Phrases in Hungarian

Answers: 1.i. 2.f. 3.r. 4.w. 5.l. 6.o. 7.y. 8.j. 9.a. 10.c. 11.u. 12.z. 13.k. 14.b. 15.g 16.x. 17.h. 18.m. 19.d. 20.e. 21.n. 22.p. 23.q. 24.s. 25.t. 26.v.

Aranyvasárnap: Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sunday in Hungary

Purple, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sunday in Hungary

In Hungary, practicing Christians celebrate the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve. These are called the Purple, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sundays, originally known as the Advent Sundays.

In this article, you’ll learn all about this festive and deeply meaningful holiday, from its history to modern-day traditions for the Advent period. At HungarianPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative—starting with this article!

Let’s get started.

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1. What is Bronze, Silver, Gold Sunday?

Purple, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sunday are the four successive Sundays leading up to Christmas. These are not public holidays, but rather Christian holidays that have been commercialized and secularized over time.

For Christians, these are also known as the Advent Sundays. Because Sunday is a sacred day for Christians, those practicing the faith prepare for the grand Christmas Eve. celebration on each of the consecutive four Sundays. Many Hungarians also celebrate these holidays in a more secular fashion.

We’ll go more into traditions and celebrations later in this article.

2. When are the Advent Sundays?

Christmas Markets

The date of the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sundays are moveable, though they’re always the four Sundays before Christmas Eve.

Here’s the date of each of these Sundays:

Purple Bronze Silver Gold
2019 December 1 December 8 December 15 December 22
2020 November 29 December 6 December 13 December 20
2021 November 28 December 5 December 12 December 19
2022 November 27 December 4 December 11 December 18
2023 December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24
2024 December 1 December 8 December 15 December 22
2025 November 30 December 7 December 14 December 21
2026 November 29 December 6 December 13 December 20
2027 November 28 December 5 December 12 December 19
2028 December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24

3. Advent Traditions & Celebrations

For practicing Christians, the most important aspect of the Advent Sundays is attending the masses at church. However, as mentioned earlier, these holidays are gradually becoming more and more secularized—the eventual fate of many religious holidays.

While the core meaning of these Sundays—preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus—remains mostly intact, many non-religious Hungarians celebrate them as well.

In particular, the Purple, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sundays have become associated with shopping and great deals! Like in the West, stores now offer huge promotions for these weekends, and thousands rush to shopping malls to take advantage of massive discounts and purchasing opportunities. There are also Christmas markets open, which sell special goods and treats for the holiday season!

Many Hungarians decorate their homes with the traditional Advent wreaths and Advent candles. On each Sunday of Advent leading to Christmas Eve., families light one candle until all four candles are lit on the fourth Sunday. Children love this tradition because, with each candle lit, they know that Christmas Eve. is nearer and they’re one week closer to opening their gifts from “Little Jesus” (Jézuska)!

Another popular tradition is the Advent calendar. Parents often give their children this Advent calendar at the beginning of the month, which contains one chocolate candy for each day of the Advent period. Sometimes, the treats for the Purple, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sundays are larger or tastier than those for the rest of the days.

4. Why Purple, Bronze, Silver, and Gold?

The original names of these days were 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sunday of Advent.

During the four decades of Communist dictatorship, authorities had a negative approach to churches and removed the religious connotations of all holidays and special days celebrated by the nation. It was then when these names were introduced.

Christmas was renamed as the “Pine Tree Feast.” The association with the precious metals bronze, silver, and gold refers to the gradual increase in importance toward the celebration.

Interestingly, the name Purple Sunday isn’t commonly known among Hungarians; perhaps this color is used because of its association with royalty or wealth.

5. Essential Vocabulary for the Advent Sundays

Hot Wine

Here’s some vocabulary you need to know for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sundays in Hungary!

  • Olcsó — “Cheap”
  • Pénzt költ — “Spend money”
  • Vásárlás — “Shopping
  • Árleszállítás — “Sale”
  • Piac — “Market”
  • Alkuldozik — “Bargain”
  • Választék — “Variety”
  • Meglepetés — “Surprise
  • Forralt bor — “Hot wine”
  • Tömeg — “Crowd”
  • bronz-, ezüst-,aranyvasárnap — “Bronze, Silver, Gold Sunday”

To hear the pronunciation of each vocabulary word, and read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Hungarian Bronze, Silver, Gold Sunday word list!

Final Thoughts

The four Sundays leading to Christmas Eve. are sacred, fun, and festive. Does your country have any special celebrations for Christmas or other winter holidays? Tell us about them in the comments section!

If you’re interested in learning more about Hungarian culture, or want to learn more words for the holidays and wintertime, you may find the following pages useful:

Learning Hungarian doesn’t have to be boring or overwhelming—with HungarianPod101.com, it can even be fun! We do everything we can to make language-learning both fun and effective, and in the process, introduce you to cultural insights and interesting facts!

If you’re serious about improving your Hungarian skills and broadening your knowledge of the country, create your free lifetime account today!

Happy Hungarian learning! 🙂

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Hungarian Phrases for Travel

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Do you like traveling? Are you planning to travel to Hungary and would like some Hungarian travel tips or useful Hungarian phrases for travel? You are at the right place! We put together a useful Hungarian words list for travelers, and it contains useful phrases too. You never know what situation you might find yourself in when taking a trip to a foreign country, so it is best to prepare in advance and learn a few common phrases for the journey. This article will help you with that.

In here, you will find an essential vocabulary of simple Hungarian travel phrases for transportation, shopping, eating in a restaurant, and asking or giving directions. However, we will also introduce you some common Hungarian phrases for travelers that are a must, for examples ones used during emergencies, but you will learn flattery and other useful phrases as well.

Do not travel without knowing these verbs!

If you read this article a few times and take notes, you should be fine. However, if by the end you still do not feel as confident, just reach out to us with any questions you might have.

Are you ready to learn about essential Hungarian travel phrases? Let’s go!

No idea where to travel yet? Top 10 places to visit in Hungary.

A Person Showing Their Passport

Log Table of Contents
  1. Basic Expressions
  2. Transportation
  3. Shopping
  4. Restaurants
  5. Asking for and Giving Directions
  6. Emergencies
  7. Flattery Phrases
  8. Useful Phrases to Go Through Language Problems
  9. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Reach Your Goals in Learning Hungarian

1. Basic Expressions

First, to get the ball rolling, we are going to cover basic Hungarian travel phrases. These will help set the mood for the rest of the article and nicely ease you into the topic. Also, if you want to learn any section by heart, this one should be it as it is going to be the most useful one for you. No matter in what situation, you will get great use out of these common Hungarian phrases for travelers. So, let’s see them!

  • “Thank you (very much).” – (Nagyon szépen) köszönöm!
  • “Sorry.” – Bocsánat!
  • “I apologize.” – Bocsánatot kérek!
  • “Excuse me.” – Elnézést!
  • “Hi.” – Szia!
  • “Hi, you all.” – Sziasztok!
  • “Good morning.” – Jóreggelt!
  • “Yes” – Igen
  • “No” – Nem
  • “I like it.” – Tetszik (nekem).
  • “I don’t like it.” – Nem tetszik (nekem).
  • “I don’t speak Hungarian.” – Nem beszélek magyarul.
  • “That’s amazing!” – Ez nagyszerű!
  • “It’s not so good.” – Annyira nem jó.
  • “Can you please take a picture of me?” – Csinálnál rólam egy fotót, kérlek?

You may also want to see our blog post on how to say hello in Hungarian

2. Transportation

Unless you have a map and can navigate through an unknown city with it without any hardships, you might want to learn one or two must-know Hungarian travel words and phrases from this section, in connection with transportation. No matter if you want to reach your destination on foot, by taxi, bus, tram, train, boat, trolly, or metro (yes, these are all your options in Hungary – let’s check your options for Budapest), you will have to know a few simple Hungarian travel phrases to get around easily, such as the following ones:

  • “[Location], please.” – [helyszín]-re, legyen szíves!
  • “How do I get to [location]?” – Hogy jutok el a [helyszín]-re?
  • “How much did my trip cost?” – Mennyibe került az utazásom?
  • “Could you please wait for me?” – Volna szíves megvárni?
  • “Where should I get off?” – Hol kellene leszállnom?
  • “I want to go to [location].” – A [helyszín]-re szeretnék eljutni.
  • “Please, tell me when we arrive.” – Kérlek, szóljon, ha megérkeztünk!
  • “Which stop is the next one?” – Mi a következő megálló?
  • “I’d like to buy a one-way train ticket to [location].” – Szeretnék egy vonatjegyet váltani [helyszín]-re.
  • “How much does the ticket cost?” – Mennyibe kerül a jegy?
  • “Do I need to transfer?” – Át kell szállnom?

Check out our vocabulary list for taking public transport.

Image of a Metro Arriving

3. Shopping

Whether you like shopping or not, even you will have to go to the grocery store at some point to get some food while you are in the country. So, why not take the lead and learn some essential Hungarian travel phrases in advance? Do you want to buy broccoli but need to ask if the store clerk has it? Or perhaps you want to ask how much something costs? We have it all in here but do not forget that if you have any questions remaining, you can ask us in the comment section below. So, let’s see these shopping phrases!

  • “How much does this broccoli cost?” – Mennyibe kerül ez a brokkoli?
  • “In what currency can I pay?” – Milyen valutával tudok fizetni?
  • “Can give me a discount on this?” – Tudna esetleg kedvezményt adni erre?
  • “Which one do you recommend I get?” – Melyiket javasolja, hogy megvegyem?
  • “What’s your most popular product?” – Mi a legnépszerűbb terméke?
  • “I’d like to take this.” – Ezt szeretném elvinni.
  • “Can I pay by card?” – Tudok kártyával fizetni?
  • “How many forints is two euros?” – Hány forintot ér két euró?

Check out our blog post on numbers in Hungarian for more useful information that will help you shop with ease. 

4. Restaurants

When in a new place, it is very likely that you will visit one or two restaurants during your stay. However, if you fancy small and cozy ones, chances are the staff does not speak perfect English if at all. That is why it is crucial or at least an advantage if you learn a few Hungarian words you could use in restaurants. Let’s see what we mean:

  • “Can I please get the menu?” – Elkérhetném az étlapot?
  • “I’d like to get this please.” – Ezt kérném, legyen szíves!
  • “Can I get a pint of beer?” – Kérhetnék egy korsó sört?
  • “I’m a vegetarian.” – Vegetáriánus vagyok.
  • “I’m allergic to [food]. Does this meal has any?” – Allergiás vagyok a [étel]-re. Ebben az ételben van?
  • “What do you recommend?” – Mit ajánl?
  • “Could I get the bill, please?” – Kérhetném a számlát?
  • “Excuse me!” – Legyen szíves!

Here is how to reserve a table in a restaurant.

Closeup of a Chef Finishing the Presentation of the Food

5. Asking for and Giving Directions

Hungarian language travel phrases for asking for or giving directions are just as important as phrases for transportation. God forbid, you get lost somewhere, you might need to ask locals to point you in the right direction. However, it is quite well-known that Hungarians are not at the forefront in terms of English language knowledge. Thus, it is advised that you learn these conversational phrases for when visiting the country, in case you get lost at some point:

Let’s see the other days of a week in Hungarian:

  • “Where is [location]?” – Merre van a [helyszín]?
  • “Excuse me!” – Legyen szíves!
  • “Where can I find the closest toilet?” – Merre van a legközelebbi mosdó?
  • “Can you show me the way?” – Meg tudná mutatni az utat?
  • “Go straight, then turn left at the end of the street.” – Menjen egyenesen, aztán forduljon balra az utca végén!
  • “Turn right at the roundabout.” – Forduljon jobbra a körforgalomnál!

A Guy and a Girl Looking at a Map Smiling

6. Emergencies

You have to prepare for all scenarios and even though we never want to think about it, anything can happen. Make sure you learn this emergency Hungarian word list for travelers and you should be covered for any emergencies that might happen. But just to be prepared, always choose travel insurance!

  • “Somebody please help!” – Valaki, kérem, segítsen!
  • “Call an ambulance! Their number is 104.” – Hívja a mentőket! 104 a számuk.
  • “Is there a doctor here?” – Van itt orvos?
  • “I’ve lost my passport.” – Elhagytam az útlevelemet!
  • “Did you see my wallet? I can’t find it anywhere.” – Láttad a pénztárcámat? Sehol sem találom.

7. Flattery Phrases

Flattery phrases are rather important because Hungarians love to be flattered, especially their cuisine, especially by a foreigner, especially in their own language. That is right! So, if you want to win a Hungarian’s heart over, compliment their cooking in Hungarian. Here is how to do it:

  • “I like Hungarian people.” – Kedvelem a magyar embereket.
  • “I like Hungarian food.” – Szeretem a magyar ételeket.
  • “I love Hungary.” – Imádom Magyarországot!
  • “You’re nice.” – Kedves vagy.
  • “You’re beautiful.” – Gyönyörű vagy,
  • “I want to be your friend.” – Szeretnék a barátod lenni.
  • “Do you have Facebook or Instagram?” – Van Facebookod vagy Instagramod?
  • “I like your style.” – Tetszik a stílusod.
  • “You’re very smart.” – Nagyon okos vagy.

Woman and Man Laughing Together

8. Useful Phrases to Go Through Language Problems

In this section, you will find any additional useful, common Hungarian phrases for travelers that might come in handy for your trip.

  • “Do you speak English?” – Beszélsz angolul?
  • “I don’t understand. Can you repeat?” – Nem értem. Meg tudnád ismételni?
  • “I don’t speak Hungarian very well.” – Nem beszélek valami jól magyarul.
  • “Please, speak slowly.” – Kérlek, beszélj lassabban!
  • “How do you say [word] in Hungarian?” – Hogy van magyarul az, hogy [szó]?
  • “Could you write it down please?” – Le tudnád írni, kérlek?
  • “How do you read this?” – Ezt hogy olvasod?
  • “How do you pronounce this?” – Ezt hogy mondod ki?

9. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Reach Your Goals in Learning Hungarian

Yay, you reached the end of this article, meaning you must be a Hungarian travel words expert. Well… not quite. To make sure these useful phrases stick in your mind, read the article a few more times, take notes, and practice pronunciation. Even more so, practice with a real person if you know any Hungarians or someone who speaks the language. If not, we are always here to help you, you know that.

Let’s recap what Hungarian phrases for travelers were mentioned this time:

We learned about common Hungarian phrases for travelers regarding:

  • The basics
  • Transportation
  • Shopping
  • Restaurants
  • Asking for and giving directions
  • Emergencies
  • Flattery
  • Other useful expressions to go through language problems

The latter you might not need if you practice all the phrases above.

Top 10 ways to prepare for your trip to Hungary.

Even though practice makes perfect, sometimes a little extra boost and a change in study material helps, moreover, speeds up the learning process. If you feel like you would like something more, let’s say widen your range of vocabulary for when you visit Hungary, we have lots of free vocabulary lists on the website that are constantly expanding, and don’t forget about our audio learning lessons that help you with pronunciation and listening.

And if you need a tutors undivided attention, we have lots of professionals who would love to help you on your journey to learn Hungarian and facilitate the studying process.

What do you say? Join the HungarianPod101 family today and get lots of study materials and heaps of support and a loving community on the side! Deal? Click here to join!

How would you ask for directions to the nearest caffe in Hungarian? Comment it below!

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