Especially if you’re planning a prolonged visit to Hungary, using the correct Hungarian numbers for counting in Hungarian could be very important! Number systems are the other alphabet in any language. In fact, it is a language all of its own, and it serves a multitude of excellent purposes.

Table of Contents

1. A Brief History of Counting and Number Systems
2. Why is it Important to Learn Hungarian Numbers?
3. Learning Hungarian Numbers
4. Why Choose HungarianPod101 to Learn all about Hungarian Numbers?

1. A Brief History of Counting and Number Systems

1. The Ishango Bone

The origin of counting, and with it numbers, is not clear to historians. While their art showed that prehistoric man had a concept of numbers, the first indication of a formal system was found to be only between 20,000 and 35,000 thousand years old. This discovery came around 1960 in the form of the so-called Ishango Bone found in the Congo, Central Africa.

The 10cm/4 inch piece of bone was a fibula from a baboon. It showed markings with a neat, unified pattern of small lines – far too organized and sophisticated to have formed spontaneously. Archeologists believe that those thin markings were carved to keep score of, or count, something. The lines seemed to represent a sequence of prime numbers and a series of duplications. Some even called it the first-ever pocket calculator!

2. Mesopotamia and Greece

Yet, evidence suggests that it wasn’t until about 4,000 years ago that humans truly started counting and using numbers. Together with the development of civilization came developed agriculture, and the need for measurement and score-keeping was increased.

For this reason, a formal number system and mathematics were developed first in the Middle East, in what was then called Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia was roughly situated in the area of modern-day Iraq and Kuwait. Allegedly, the system was pretty simple at first. Citizens used tokens that represented a certain number of items, such as one token equalling four goats, etc. This eventually evolved into a system of score marks pressed into clay, which ultimately went on to influence Greek mathematics.

3. Hindu-Arabic Numbers

Zero, meanwhile, was conceived later and elsewhere. Inspired by the Hindu religion, which allows for the concept of infinity and eternity, the Indians invented a symbol to represent nothing. The magic of the zero lies not in itself but its combination with other numbers.

The Indians were also the creators of today’s numbers, which are often referred to as Hindu-Arabic numbers. These comprise one or a combination of just ten symbols or digits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0.

Europe learned of this numeric system only around 1200 A.D., when they were introduced to it by an Italian mathematician called Leonardo Pisano Bigollo.

Pisano, also known as Fibonacci, is famous for the discovery of a mathematical sequence with countless applications. Yes, math buffs, it’s the well-known Fibonacci sequence, also called the Golden Mean.

The Roman numeric system, which was clumsy next to the newer inventions, gradually lost popularity in the West. It’s from here that they “slowly spread to conquer the world,” as Steven Law puts it.

2. Why is it Important to Learn Hungarian Numbers?

For us at HungarianPod101, this is an easy question to answer! Because we know that numbers are a global unifier.

Counting and numbers have made our lives easier since they were first formulated, even in their most primitive forms.

Without knowing your numbers, you can’t properly communicate about or deal with the following:

1) Your date/time of birth, i.e., your age: This is vital information to be able to give to people like doctors, employers, law enforcement, and so forth.

2) Banking: Worldwide, our monetary systems are built on numbers. Interest, credit scores, and loans all rely on math beyond simple finger counting.

3) Time: Without knowing how to say numbers, you can’t talk or ask about the time and expect to get a useful response. You don’t want to miss an appointment or schedule something for the wrong hour!

4) Ordering data: Numbers bring order to a mostly random life! Scientists even say that numbers and the way they are organized underpin the whole universe. From using them to count your meals’ calories and the number of likes your posts get on social media, to drawing up intricate data charts and explaining existence itself – numbers are what makes these things possible.

All of the above and more are reasons why it is important to know your numbers if you plan on travelling or becoming a foreign worker abroad, in Hungary or anywhere else!

3. Learning Hungarian Numbers

Now, let’s explore the Hungarian number system a bit more! Take a look at this infographic.

Can you make out for yourself what the Hungarian numbers between one (1) and nine (9) look and sound like? Easy, right?

Or, if you struggled a bit, no problem. Why not listen to how Hungarian numbers one (1) through ten (10) sound when pronounced by our native Hungarian speaker and friendly HungarianPod101 teacher?

Then, share with us in the comments your native language’s romanized pronunciation of your number system. We’d love to see all the different ways the same numbers can be pronounced!

When you have mastered the first ten numbers, you have basically nailed the most significant part of the number system. Well done! Curious to learn the numbers from eleven upward? No problem! Why not subscribe and enroll with us now to immediately enjoy this lesson, teaching you all about Hungarian numbers eleven (11) to one hundred (100)?

Finally, if you’re curious how the numbers look once you’ve broken one hundred, why not check out our Hungarian number vocabulary page? You can see the numbers we’ve just covered, all the way up to four thousand (4,000). Plus, you can also see the Hungarian words for different numbers used in example sentences, to get an idea of how you can use them in your day-to-day conversations!

4. Why Choose HungarianPod101 to Learn all about Hungarian Numbers?

HungarianPod101, like all Innovative Language Learning ventures, takes the pain out of learning a new language by adding a lot of fun. It’s never an easy thing to learn a new language, but we formulated all your lessons so they’re nicely bite-sized, and geared to keep you motivated!

Also, we created a great number of fantastic tools to help keep struggle and boredom out of the learning process.

• Fun and Easy Learning: It’s a commonly-known fact that when learning is made easy and fun, student motivation rises. And as motivation rises, so does the effort to learn – what a beautiful cycle! HungarianPod101’s language learning system is designed to get you speaking from the onset. Learn at your own convenience and pace with our short, effective, and fun audio podcast lessons. Our Learning Center is comprehensive and state-of-the-art, with a vibrant user community to connect with! Our lessons are recorded with native hosts and voice actors, providing a diverse range of dialects in your lessons. You can be confident that native speakers will understand you when speaking Hungarian!
• 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!
• 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…!
• 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!

So, why wait? Sign up with HungarianPod101 right away! Also, let us know in the comments if you’ve used this blog post, or any of the free lessons anywhere to master Hungarian numbers. Or, even better – share your birthdate using what you’ve learned!

You’re learning to speak Hungarian, and it’s going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Hungarian.

At Learn Hungarian, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Hungarian in the process.

1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Hungarian

Eating out is fun, and often an experience you’d like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Hungarian. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills…and perhaps your taste in restaurants!

Dávid eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Már nagyon vártam a ma esti vacsorát! Nagyon jól éreztem magam!
“I was really looking forward to tonight’s dinner! I had a great time!”

1- Már nagyon vártam a ma esti vacsorát!

First is an expression meaning “I was really looking forward to tonight’s dinner!”
Use this sentence to express your excitement about an upcoming dinner. You can replace “tonight’s dinner” with other activities that you’re looking forward to.

2- Nagyon jól éreztem magam!

Then comes the phrase – “I had a great time!”
Use this expression to tell others that you had a great time. It can be used in any situation. If you were treated by someone, remember to say “thank you” in Hungarian at the end.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Annyit ettem, hogy majd kidurranok!

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I ate so much, I’m going to burst!”
Use this expression to be humorous.

2- Remélem, szép estétek volt!

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “I hope you had a nice evening!”
Use this phrase to make pleasant conversation.

3- Igazán meghívhattál volna…

His girlfriend’s nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “You really should have invited me…”
Use this expression to show you are feeling a bit left out.

4- Én is nagyon jól éreztem magam, köszönöm a meghívást!

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “I also had a great time, thank you for the invitation!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

nagyon: “very”

jól: “well”

kidurran: “to burst, to pop”

remél: “to hope”

szép: “nice, beautiful”

meghív: “to invite”

köszönöm: “thank you”

meghívás: “invitation”

So, let’s practice a bit. If a friend posted something about having dinner with friends, which phrase would you use?

Now go visit a Hungarian restaurant, and wow the staff with your language skills!

2. Post about Your Mall Visit in Hungarian

Another super topic for social media is shopping—everybody does it, most everybody loves it, and your friends on social media are probably curious about your shopping sprees! Share these Hungarian phrases in posts when you visit a mall.

Anna goes shopping with her sister at the mall, posts an image of the two of them, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Ma shoppingolni megyünk a húgommal!
“We’re going shopping today with my sister!”

1- Ma shoppingolni megyünk

First is an expression meaning “We’re going shopping today.”
You will notice that the English word “shopping” appears in the Hungarian phrase. This word originally comes from English so Hungarian people use it as slang. The word is pretty widespread, but older people still might not understand its meaning.

2- a húgommal!

Then comes the phrase – “with my sister!”
The English translation says “sister,” but the Hungarian word literally means “younger sister.” In Hungarian, different words are used to describe an older or younger sister.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Már igazán rátok fért egy kis vásárlás!

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “You really deserved some shopping!”
Use this expression when are feeling warmhearted about the post.

2- Kérlek, nézd meg, hogy van-e akció a férfi osztályon.

Her boyfriend, Dávid, uses an expression meaning – “Please check if there’s a sale in the men’s department.”
Use this expression to ask a favor.

3- Remélem, haza bírjátok majd cipelni a szatyrokat!

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I hope you’ll be able to carry the shopping bags home!”
Use this expression to be humorous.

4- Én is oda tartok. Nem iszunk meg egy kávét?

Her college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “I’m going there as well. Shall we have a coffee?”
Use these phrases if you want to make arrangements with the poster.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

ma: “today”

igazán: “really”

vásárlás: “shopping”

hogy: “that”

akció: “sale”

hazacipel: “to carry home”

iszik: “to drink”

kávé: “coffee”

So, if a friend posted something about going shopping, which phrase would you use?

3. Talking about a Sport Day in Hungarian

Sports events, whether you’re the spectator or the sports person, offer fantastic opportunity for great social media posts. Learn some handy phrases and vocabulary to start a sport-on-the-beach conversation in Hungarian.

Dávid plays with his friends at the beach, posts an image of the team, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Épp röplabdázunk a parton. Kiváló az idő!
“We’re playing volleyball on the beach. The weather is great!”

1- Épp röplabdázunk a parton.

First is an expression meaning “We’re playing volleyball on the beach.”
You can use the first word of this sentence to express that you’re doing something at that moment, as it literally means “right now.”

2- Kiváló az idő!

Then comes the phrase – “The weather is great!”
You can use this expression to let others know that you’re enjoying the good weather.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Hajrá, srácok!

His college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “Go for it, boys!”
Use this expression if you are feeling encouraging.

2- Nincs jobb, mint a szabadban sportolás!

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “There’s nothing better than playing sports outdoors!”
Use this comment to express a personal opinion.

3- Ki nyert?

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Who won?”
Use this question if you need more information.

4- Nincs túl meleg ehhez?

His girlfriend’s nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “Isn’t it too hot for this?”
This is a rhetorical question just to make conversation.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

röplabdázik: “to play volleyball”

Hajrá!: “Go for it!”

srác: “boy, tad”

ki: “who”

nyer: “to win”

túl: “too”

meleg: “warm”

Which phrase would you use if a friend posted something about sports?

But sport is not the only thing you can play! Play some music, and share it on social media.

4. Share a Song on Social Media in Hungarian

Music is the language of the soul, they say. So, don’t hold back—share what touches your soul with your friends!

Anna shares a song she just heard at a party, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Nemrég hallottam ezt a számot, és azóta a kedvencem.
“I heard this song recently, and since then, it’s (been) my favorite.”

1- Nemrég hallottam ezt a számot

First is an expression meaning “I heard this song recently .”
You can use the first word of this phrase to express that something happened recently as it literally translates to “not long ago.”

2- és azóta a kedvencem.

Then comes the phrase – “and since then, it’s (been) my favorite..”
You can use this phrase to talk about something you like, especially from a certain time.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Tényleg nagyon jó!

Her boyfriend, Dávid, uses an expression meaning – “It’s really very good!”
Use this expression to show your agreement.

2- Mindjárt táncra perdülök itt a buszmegállóban!

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I’m about to start dancing at the bus stop!”
Use this expression to be humorous and enthusiastic.

3- Köszi, hogy megosztottad! Nekem is nagyon tetszik!

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Thank you for sharing it! I like it a lot too!”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted and grateful.

4- Nem igazán az én stílusom…

Her nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “It’s not really my style…”
Use this expression to share a differing opinion.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

hall: “to hear”

szám: “number, song”

tényleg: “really”

jó: “good”

táncra perdül: “to start to dance”

buszmegálló: “bus stop”

megoszt: “to share”

stílus: “style”

Which song would you share? And what would you say to a friend who posted something about sharing music or videos?

Now you know how to start a conversation about a song or a video on social media!

5. Hungarian Social Media Comments about a Concert

Still on the theme of music—visiting live concerts and shows just have to be shared with your friends. Here are some handy phrases and vocab to wow your followers in Hungarian!

Dávid goes to a concert, posts an image of the band, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Szuper volt a koncert!
“The concert was great!”

1- Szuper volt

First is an expression meaning “was great!.”
The first word is the same in meaning and in sound to the English word “super.” In Hungarian, a “z” is added to the letter “s” to create the English “s” sound. It’s one of the Hungarian digraphs.

2- a koncert!

Then comes the phrase – “The concert .”
Again, the word for “concert” is very similar to the English word, but in Hungarian, it starts with a “k” instead of a “c”.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nagyon jól néz ki az énekesnő!

His college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “The singer looks very good!”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion.

2- Remélem, nem nyomtak össze az első sorban!

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I hope you weren’t squeezed in the front row!”
Use this expression to make pleasant conversation.

3- Örülök, hogy végre láthattad őket élőben zenélni!

His neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “I’m glad you were finally able to see them perform live!”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted.

4- Az élő zene igazán pezsdítő.

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “Live music is really stirring.”
This is an opinion that shows your agreement.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

énekesnő: “singer (female)”

első sor: “front row, first row”

örül: “to be happy”

lát: “to see”

élő: “live”

zenél: “to play music”

élő zene: “live music”

pezsdítő: “stirring”

If a friend posted something about a concert , which phrase would you use?

6. Talking about an Unfortunate Accident in Hungarian

Oh dear. You broke something by accident. Use these Hungarian phrases to start a thread on social media. Or maybe just to let your friends know why you are not contacting them!

Anna accidentally breaks her mobile phone, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Teljesen összetörtem a mobilom! Ezt nem hiszem el!
“I totally broke my cellphone. I can’t believe it!”

1- Teljesen összetörtem a mobilom!

First is an expression meaning “I totally broke my cellphone.”
Use this sentence to express that you broke your phone to the point that it’s in pieces.

2- Ezt nem hiszem el!

Then comes the phrase – “I can’t believe it!.”
Use this expression to show how shocked, surprised, or upset you are about a situation.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nem baj, drágám, már úgyis újat akartunk venni.

Her boyfriend, Dávid, uses an expression meaning – “It’s okay, dear. We wanted to buy a new one anyway.”
Use these phrases if you wish to be supportive and helpful.

2- Fel a fejjel, Anna, nem dőlt össze a világ!

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Cheer up, Anna. The world didn’t crash above our heads!”
Use this expression to be supportive by playing down the accident.

3- Előfordul.

Her nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “It happens.”
Use this observation if you wish to be reassuring by playing down the event.

4- Engem akartál hívni?

Her college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “Were you about to call me?”
Use this expression to be frivolous and humorous.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

nem baj: “it’s okay, no problem”

új: “new”

akar: “to want”

fel a fejjel : “cheer up”

Előfordul.: “It happens.”

világ: “world”

hív: “to call”

If a friend posted something about having broken something by accident, which phrase would you use?

So, now you know how to describe an accident in Hungarian. Well done!

7. Chat about Your Boredom on Social Media in Hungarian

Sometimes, we’re just bored with how life goes. And to alleviate the boredom, we write about it on social media. Add some excitement to your posts by addressing your friends and followers in Hungarian!

Dávid gets bored at home, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Unatkozom, és senki nem ér rá.
“I’m bored and no one is available.”

1- Unatkozom

First is an expression meaning “I’m bored.”
This verb is in first person singular. However, you won’t find the word that expresses “I” because the suffix that is used refers to the first person singular.

2- és senki nem ér rá.

Then comes the phrase – “and no one is available.”
You can use this phrase when explaining or complaining that no one is available. Keep in mind, however, that the first word means “and”, so you must attach this phrase to another complete sentence. Otherwise, you can remove “and” and use the remainder of the phrase as is.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Aludj egy nagyot, amúgy is sokat dolgoztál.

His neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Take a big nap. You already worked a lot.”
Use these phrases if you wish to be supportive and warmhearted.

2- Nemsokára hazaérek, és megnézhetünk egy filmet.

His girlfriend, Anna, uses an expression meaning – “I’ll be home soon, and we can watch a movie together.”
Use this expression to show your support and caring.

3- Így jártál, barátom.

His girlfriend’s nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “You’re out of luck, my friend.”
Use this expression if you wish to be humorous by being a bit sarcastic.

4- Miért nem szóltál hamarabb?

His college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Use this expression if you are feeling regretful.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

unatkozik: “to be bored”

senki: “no one, nobody”

nagy: “big”

dolgozik: “to work”

nemsokára: “soon”

film: “movie”

barát: “friend”

miért: “why”

If a friend posted something about being bored, which phrase would you use?

Still bored? Share another feeling and see if you can start a conversation!

8. Exhausted? Share It on Social Media in Hungarian

Sitting in public transport after work, feeling like chatting online? Well, converse in Hungarian about how you feel, and let your friends join in!

Anna feels exhausted after a long day at work, posts an image of herself looking tired, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Végre itthon! Nagyon elfáradtam.
“Finally, I’m home! I got very tired.”

1- Végre itthon!

First is an expression meaning “Finally I’m home!.”
Use this expression when you want to say that you couldn’t wait to get home from somewhere.

2- Nagyon elfáradtam.

Then comes the phrase – “I’m very tired..”
The first word means “very” and can be used to exaggerate conditions, such as in this example. The second word is a verb in the past tense without a personal pronoun since it’s indicated by the suffix.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Pihend jól ki magad!

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Rest well!”
Use this expression to wish the poster something positive.

2- Én még mindig dolgozom.

Her nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “I’m still working.”
Use this expression to share personal information that’s in agreement with the poster.

3- Jó pihenést, Anna!

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Have a good rest, Anna!”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted.

4- Ma ne főzz! Rendeljünk vacsorát.

Her boyfriend, Dávid, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t cook today! Let’s order dinner.”
Use this expression to show your support and caring.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

elfárad: “to get tired”

pihen: “to rest, to relax”

én: “I”

még mindig: “still”

főz: “to cook”

rendel: “to order”

vacsora: “dinner”

If a friend posted something about being exhausted, which phrase would you use?

Now you know how to say you’re exhausted in Hungarian! Well done.

9. Talking about an Injury in Hungarian

So life happens, and you manage to hurt yourself during a soccer game. Very Tweet-worthy! Here’s how to do it in Hungarian.

Dávid suffers a painful knee injury, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Ezt nézzétek! Kifordult a térdem edzés közben.
“Look at this! I twisted my knee while training.”

1- Ezt nézzétek!

First is an expression meaning “Look at this!”
Use this expression when you want to catch someone’s attention.

2- Kifordult a térdem edzés közben.

Then comes the phrase – “I twisted my knee while training..”
You can find a digraph in the word for “training”. It’s pronounced “ds” like in “dads”.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nem kellett volna annyira erőltetni.

His girlfriend’s nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “You shouldn’t have forced it that much.”
Use this expression to show your concern but beware, it might sound a bit unsympathetic.

2- Ebcsont beforr.

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “It’s going to heal soon.”
Use this expression to be supportive and positive.

3- Ne aggódj, hamar rendbe fogsz jönni, csak pihentesd.

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t worry, you’ll be alright soon. Just rest it.”
Use this expression if you are feeling optimistic and supportive.

4- Azt hittem, jobb formában vagy.

His college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “I thought you were in better shape.”
Use this expression to be frivolous and tease the poster.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

erőltet: “to force”

eb: “dog”

csont: “bone”

Ne aggódj!: “Don’t worry!”

hamar: “soon”

jobb: “better”

forma: “shape”

If a friend posted something about being injured, which phrase would you use?

We love to share our fortunes and misfortunes; somehow that makes us feel connected to others.

10. Starting a Conversation Feeling Disappointed in Hungarian

Sometimes things don’t go the way we planned. Share your disappointment about this with your friends!

Anna feels disappointed about today’s weather, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Kirándulni akartunk, de eleredt az eső.
“We wanted to hike, but it started to rain.”

1- Kirándulni akartunk,

First is an expression meaning “We wanted to hike,”
The second word is in the past tense and refers to first person plural. The personal pronoun “we” is omitted and expressed by the suffix.

2- de eleredt az eső.

Then comes the phrase – “but it started to rain..”
The first word of this phrase is a contrasting conjunction that means “but.” You can use it to connect compound sentences in Hungarian.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nem baj, drágám, majd elmegyünk a jövő héten.

Her boyfriend, Dávid, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t worry, honey, we’ll go next week.”
Use this phrase if you wish to be supportive by making a suggestion.

2- Maradj otthon, nehogy megfázzatok!

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Stay at home. Don’t catch a cold!”
Use this expression to show your caring and concern.

3- Szerencse, hogy indulás előtt kezdett el esni, és nem amikor már kint voltatok.

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Luckily, it started raining before you left and not when you were already outside.”
Use this expression to make positive observations, keeping the conversation going.

4- Mi piknikeztük, és most csuromvizesek vagyunk.

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “We were having a picnic, and now we’re soaking wet.”
Use this phrase to share a personal experience.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

majd: “then”

jövő hét: “next week”

marad: “to stay”

megfázik: “to catch a cold”

szerencse: “luck”

előtt: “before”

kint: “outside”

vizes: “wet”

How would you comment in Hungarian when a friend is disappointed?

Not all posts need to be about a negative feeling, though!

11. Talking about Your Relationship Status in Hungarian

Don’t just change your relationship status in Settings, talk about it!

Dávid changes his status to “In a relationship”, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Annával minden perc csodás.
“Every minute is wonderful with Anna.”

1- Annával

First is an expression meaning “with Anna..”
Here, “with” is expressed by a suffix. That’s why there’s no separate word for it like in English. Anna is a common name in Hungary, as well.

2- minden perc csodás.

Then comes the phrase – “Every minute is wonderful.”
This phrase is a little over the top. Use it when you want to sound poetic, romantic, or very pathetic.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Irigykedem.

His college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “I’m envious.”
Use this expression to be frivolous.

2- Megtaláltátok egymást, mint zsák a foltját.

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “You found each other like a bag finds its patch.”
Use this expression to be humorous but also appreciative.

3- Szép pár vagytok.

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “You’re a nice couple.”
Use this phrase to compliment the couple.

4- Örülök, hogy boldogok vagytok!

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “I’m glad that you’re happy!”
Use this expression to show support and positive feelings.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

irigykedik: “to envy”

megtalál: “to find”

egymás: “each other”

zsák: “sack, bag”

folt: “patch”

pár: “couple”

boldog: “happy”

What would you say in Hungarian when a friend changes their relationship status?

Being in a good relationship with someone special is good news – don’t be shy to spread it!

12. Post about Getting Married in Hungarian

Wow, so things got serious, and you’re getting married. Congratulations! Or, your friend is getting married, so talk about this in Hungarian.

Anna is getting married today, posts an image of herself, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Életem legszebb napja! Mindjárt sírok.
“The most beautiful day of my life! I’m about to cry.”

1- Életem legszebb napja!

First is an expression meaning “The most beautiful day of my life!.”
This is a common expression you can use when something extraordinary or wonderful is happening to you.

2- Mindjárt sírok.

Then comes the phrase – “I’m about to cry..”
You can use this expression when you’re about to cry either from joy or sadness.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Sok boldogságot!

Her supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “Lots of happiness!”
Use this expression to show your agreement.

2- Nem túl korai egy picit?

Her nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “Isn’t it a bit early?”
Use this expression to make an observation.

3- Legyetek nagyon boldogok!

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Be very happy!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted and wish the couple well.

4- Vajon engem feleségül vesz egyszer valaki?

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I wonder if someone would ever marry me?”
Use this expression to be melancholy.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

korai: “early”

picit: “a little”

vajon: “whether”

feleségül vesz: “to marry (a woman)”

valaki: “someone”

nem: “no, not”

élet: “life”

How would you respond in Hungarian to a friend’s post about getting married?

For the next topic, fast forward about a year into the future after the marriage…

13. Announcing Big News in Hungarian

Wow, huge stuff is happening in your life! Announce it in Hungarian.

Dávid finds out he and his wife are going to have a baby, posts an image of the two of them, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Hamarosan kisbabánk születik.
“Our baby will be born soon.”

1- Hamarosan

First is an expression meaning “soon..”
You hear this word often in daily life, for example, in train station announcements or on television when a show is about to start.

2- kisbabánk születik.

Then comes the phrase – “Our baby will be born.”
The first word literally means “our little baby.” This is a common and cute way to talk about babies. “Our” is expressed by the suffix at the end of the word.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nagyon várom, hogy láthassam a babát!

His neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “I’m really looking forward to seeing the baby!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted and positive.

2- Remélem, nem rád fog hasonlítani.

His nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “I hope it won’t resemble you.”
Use this expression to be humorous by being a bit insulting.

3- Lehetek a keresztanya?

His wife’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “Can I be the godmother?”
Use this expression to show you are eager to support.

4- Gratulálok! Milyen csodás hír!

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations! What wonderful news!”
This is a traditional response to good news.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

születik: “to be born”

vár: “to wait”

baba: “baby”

hasonlít: “to resemble, to look alike”

keresztanya: “godmother”

Gratulálok!: “Congratulations!”

csodás: “wonderful”

hír: “news”

Which phrase would you choose when a friend announces their pregnancy on social media?

So, talking about a pregnancy will get you a lot of traction on social media. But wait till you see the responses to babies!

14. Posting Hungarian Comments about Your Baby

Your bundle of joy is here, and you cannot keep quiet about it! Share your thoughts in Hungarian.

Anna plays with her baby, posts an image of the little one, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Nézzétek, milyen cukin mosolyog!
“Look at how cute she smiles!”

1- Nézzétek,

First is an expression meaning “Look,.”
Here the exclamation is directed to a group of people instead of just one. Use this short expression if you want to catch others’ attention.

2- milyen cukin mosolyog!

Then comes the phrase – “how cute she smiles!.”
The second word, meaning “cute” is a common slang expression used by all ages.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nagyon bájos.

Her supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “Very charming.”
Use this expression to be old fashioned.

2- Igazán szép, egészséges baba.

Her husband’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “She is a really beautiful and healthy baby.”
Use this expression to share your agreement and appreciation.

3- A mosolya felvidítja a napom!

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Her smile brightens my day!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted and appreciative.

4- Sok udvarlója lesz, ha felnő.

Her college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “She’s going to have lots of suitors when she grows up.”
Use this expression to share an opinion that’s also a compliment.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

mosolyog: “to smile”

bájos: “charming”

egészséges: “healthy”

mosoly: “smile”

felvidít: “to freshen up, to delight, to cheer up”

nap: “day”

udvarló: “suitor”

felnő: “to grow up”

If your friend is the mother or father, which phrase would you use on social media?

Congratulations, you know the basics of chatting about a baby in Hungarian! But we’re not done with families yet…

15. Hungarian Comments about a Family Reunion

Family reunions – some you love, some you hate. Share about it on your feed.

Dávid goes to a family gathering, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Minden vasárnap összegyűlik a család.
“Every Sunday, the family gathers.”

1- Minden vasárnap

First is an expression meaning “Every Sunday.”
Sunday is the day when the majority of Hungarian people are off work. That’s why it’s often picked as the day for big gatherings, especially family gatherings.

2- összegyűlik a család.

Then comes the phrase – “the family gathers.”
Family gatherings are very important in Hungary. They mainly happen during lunch rather than dinner. Grandmothers are usually very excited about it and start meal preparation early in the morning.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Jézusom, de sokan vagytok!

His wife’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “Jesus, how many of you!”
Use this expression to be funny.

2- Nekem nem szólt senki…

His nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “No one told me…”
Use this expression to show you are feeling excluded.

3- A család a legfontosabb.

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “Family is most important.”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion that’s in agreement with the poster.

4- Milyen szép, nagy családod van!

His neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “What a nice, big family you have!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted and appreciative.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

minden : “every, all”

vasárnap : “Sunday”

Jézusom!: “Jesus! “

szól: “to tell, to speak”

család: “family”

fontos: “important”

milyen: “how, what kind of”

Which phrase is your favorite to comment on a friend’s photo about a family reunion?

16. Post about Your Travel Plans in Hungarian

So, the family are going on holiday. Do you know how to post and leave comments in Hungarian about being at the airport, waiting for a flight?

Anna and her family wait at the airport for her flight, posts an image of herself, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Nemsokára indulunk! Nagyon izgulok!
“We depart soon! I’m very excited!”

1- Nemsokára indulunk!

First is an expression meaning “We depart soon!”
You can use this expression to announce that you’re about to leave somewhere. You can also use it to catch the attention of someone who’s not ready to leave yet and indicate that they should hurry up.

2- Nagyon izgulok!

Then comes the phrase – “I’m very excited!”
You can use this expression to say that you’re either excited, nervous, or anxious, depending on the context.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nászútra indultok?

Her college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “Are you going on your honeymoon?”
Use this expression to be playful and frivolous.

2- Jó utat kívánok!

Her supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “I wish you a nice trip!”
This is a traditional response to the announcement of someone’s travels.

3- Már megint utaztok?

Her nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “Are you traveling again?”
Use this expression to tease the poster by being a bit negative.

4- Vigyázzatok magatokra! Ha bármi segítség kell itthon, szóljatok!

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Take care of yourselves! If you need any help at home, let me know!”
Use these phrases to show warmhearted support and be helpful.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

nászút: “honeymoon”

indul: “to leave, to depart”

megint: “again”

utazik: “to travel”

vigyáz: “to take care”

bármi: “anything, whatever”

segítség: “help”

Choose and memorize your best airport phrase in Hungarian!

Hopefully the rest of the trip is better!

17. Posting about an Interesting Find in Hungarian

So maybe you’re strolling around at the local market, and find something interesting. Here are some handy Hungarian phrases!

Dávid finds an unusual item at a local market, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Azt hiszem, lesz miből válogatni. Mennyi szép áru!
“I think there will be enough to choose from. So many beautiful goods!”

1- Azt hiszem, lesz miből válogatni.

First is an expression meaning “I think there will be enough to choose from..”
This is a common saying that’s used when there is a variety of things to choose from. This saying can refer to anything.

2- Mennyi szép áru!

Then comes the phrase – “So many beautiful goods!”
You can use this expression to announce your amazement when you’re in a store or marketplace.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Juj, biztos sok jó dolgot találtok majd!

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, I’m sure you’ll find lots of nice things!”
Use this expression to show your agreement.

2- Én tutira eltévednék abban a nagy tömegben.

His wife’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I would definitely get lost in that big crowd.”
Use this expression to make a personal observation.

3- Van antik áru is?

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “Are there antique goods as well?”
Use this question if you’re curious.

4- Mennyi kacat!

His nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “So much junk!”
Use this expression to make a personal, negative observation.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

juj: “oh”

biztos: “sure, for sure”

dolog: “thing”

talál: “to find”

tutira: “for sure”

eltéved: “to get lost”

tömeg: “crowd”

kacat: “junk, lumber”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s interesting find?

Perhaps you will even learn the identity of your find! Or perhaps you’re on holiday, and visiting interesting places…

18. Post about a Sightseeing Trip in Hungarian

Let your friends know what you’re up to in Hungarian, especially when visiting a remarkable place! Don’t forget the photo.

Anna visits a famous landmark, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Ide mindig is el akartam jönni! Csodásak ezek a görög épületek!
“I’ve always wanted to come here! These Greek buildings are wonderful!”

1- Ide mindig is el akartam jönni!

First is an expression meaning “I’ve always wanted to come here! .”
Use this sentence when you’ve traveled to your dream place or destination.

2- Csodásak ezek a görög épületek!

Then comes the phrase – “These Greek buildings are wonderful!”
Going to Greece for a holiday is very popular in Hungary. People often go by bus since it’s not that far. It’s a longer journey than taking a flight, but it’s usually cheaper.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ne felejtsétek el a szuvenírem!

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t forget my souvenir!”
Use this expression to be frivolous.

2- Nagyon jó képek, Anna, köszönöm.

Her supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “Very nice photos, Anna. Thank you.”
Use these phrases to show your appreciation and gratitude.

3- Milyen szép ott! Nekünk is el kéne oda utaznunk.

Her neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “How beautiful (it is) there! We should travel there as well.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling positive about the location.

4- Jövőre menjünk együtt a szomszédos szigetre!

Her husband’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Next year let’s go together to the nearby island!”
Use this expression to make a suggestion.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

görög: “Greek”

épület: “building”

elfelejt: “to forget”

szuvenír: “souvenir”

kép: “picture”

oda: “there”

jövőre: “next year”

sziget: “island”

Which phrase would you prefer when a friend posts about a famous landmark?

Share your special places with the world. Or simply post about your relaxing experiences.

19. Post about Relaxing Somewhere in Hungarian

So you’re doing nothing yet you enjoy that too? Tell your social media friends about it in Hungarian!

Dávid relaxes at a beautiful place, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Kék ég, tengerpart. Ez a tökéletes nyár!
“Blue sky, beach. This is the perfect summer!”

1- Kék ég, tengerpart.

First is an expression meaning “Blue sky, beach..”
Blue skies and the beach are the perfect combination for most Hungarians during summertime. The closest popular summer destination is Lake Balaton, the biggest lake in Central Europe.

2- Ez a tökéletes nyár!

Then comes the phrase – “This is the perfect summer!.”
Use this expression during summer when you’re having a great time.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Jó pihenést mindkettőtöknek!

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “I wish a nice rest for both of you!”
This is a slightly formal well-wish to the poster.

2- A fotót látva majdnem napszúrást kaptam.

His wife’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I almost got a sunstroke just from looking at the photo.”
Use this expression to be funny.

3- Pihenjetek sokat! Várom nagyon az élménybeszámolót!

His neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Get a lot of rest! I’m really looking forward to the travel stories!”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted and want to wish the poster well.

4- Itthon esik és hideg van.

His nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “It’s raining and cold at home.”
Use this expression to share some personal news.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

tökéletes: “perfect”

nyár: “summer”

fotó: “photo”

majdnem: “almost”

napszúrás: “heatstroke”

élménybeszámoló: “travel story”

hideg: “cold”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s feed?

The break was great, but now it’s time to return home.

20. What to Say in Hungarian When You’re Home Again

And you’re back! What will you share with friends and followers?

Anna returns home after a vacation, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Végre! Mindenhol jó, de a legjobb otthon.
“At last! Everywhere is good, but home is the best.”

1- Végre!

First is an expression meaning “At last! .”
Depending on the tone you use when you say it, this expression can be used in various situations, such as expressing anticipation, scolding someone for being late or lazy, or wishing for something to end.

2- Mindenhol jó, de a legjobb otthon.

Then comes the phrase – “Everywhere is good, but home is the best..”
This is a common saying after arriving home from somewhere, especially when you’re tired and want to rest.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Azt kétlem!

Her college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “I doubt that!”
Use this expression if you are feeling frivolous.

2- Örülök, hogy épségben hazaértetek! Mit csináltok a nyár hátralevő részében?

Her husband’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “I’m glad that you arrived home safe and sound! What are you doing for the rest of the summer?”
Use these phrases if you are feeling grateful, and want more information about their trip.

3- És még a ház se dőlt össze!

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “And yet, the house didn’t collapse!”
Use this expression to be funny.

4- Én inkább máshol lennék.

Her nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “I would rather be somewhere else.”
Make this observation if you opinion differs from the poster’s.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kételkedik: “to doubt”

épségben: “safe and sound”

hazaér: “to arrive home”

csinál: “to do”

hátralevő: “remaining”

ház: “house”

inkább: “rather”

How would you welcome a friend back from a trip?

What do you post on social media during a national commemoration day such as St. Stephen’s Day?

21. It’s Time to Celebrate in Hungarian

It’s a historic day and you wish to post something about it on social media. What would you say?

Dávid plans to go out and watch the St Stephen’s Day fireworks with Anna, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Este megyünk megnézni a tűzijátékot. Ki jön velünk?
“In the evening we’re going to see the fireworks. Who’s coming with us?”

1- Este megyünk megnézni a tűzijátékot.

First is an expression meaning “In the evening we’re going to see the fireworks.”
Fireworks are the main attraction on St. Stephen’s Day, the most important celebration in Hungary. This day commemorates both the foundation of the Hungarian state and Stephen I, the first king of Hungary. It’s celebrated on the 20th of August and is considered a national holiday.

2- Ki jön velünk?

Then comes the phrase – “Who’s coming with us?”
Use this expression to get someone’s attention when you want them to join you for an event.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Mi is megyünk. Hol találkozzunk?

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “We’re going too. Where should we meet?”
Use this expression to make arrangements with the poster.

2- Nem tudom eldönteni, hogy mit vegyek fel.

His wife’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I can’t decide what to wear.”
Use this expression to share personal news.

3- Én nem megyek a tömegbe, az tuti.

His nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “I won’t go into the crowd, that’s for sure.”
Another personal opinion just to make conversation.

4- Én randira megyek, de lehet, hogy később csatlakozunk.

His college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “I’m going on a date, but we might join later.”
Use this expression to make arrangements with the poster.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

tűzijáték: “fireworks”

mi: “we”

találkozik: “to meet”

eldönt: “to decide”

randi: “date”

lehet: “maybe”

később: “later”

csatlakozik: “to join”

If a friend posted something about a holiday, which phrase would you use?

St Stephen’s Day and other public commemoration days are not the only special ones to remember!

22. Posting about a Birthday on Social Media in Hungarian

Your friend or you are celebrating your birthday in an unexpected way. Be sure to share this on social media!

Anna goes to her birthday party, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Köszönöm mindenkinek, aki eljött! Nagy meglepetés volt!
“Thank you all who came! It was a big surprise!”

1- Köszönöm mindenkinek, aki eljött!

First is an expression meaning -“Thank you all who came!”
This is a common expression to say after an event or gathering, thanking the guests who joined.

2- Nagy meglepetés volt!

Then comes the phrase – “It was a big surprise!”
Use this expression when you’re pleasantly surprised by your friends or relatives on your birthday, or when you’re celebrating something.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Örülök, hogy jól érezted magad, drágám! Még egyszer boldog születésnapot!

Her husband, Dávid, uses an expression meaning – “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, dear! Once again, happy birthday!”
Use this expression to be supportive of, and loving towards your beloved.

2- Füled érjen bokáig!

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “May your ears reach your ankles!” [A popular saying when someone has a birthday, because people’s ears grow larger as they age.]
Use this expression to be funny in a traditional way.

3- Úgy látszik, te már csak fiatalodsz!

Her husband’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “It seems like you’re just getting younger!”
Use this expression to pay the poster a compliment.

4- Isten éltessen!

Her supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “God bless you!”
This is a traditional blessing, suitable for the occasion.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

jól érzi magát: “to have a good time”

még egyszer: “once more, one more time”

fül: “ear”

ér: “to reach”

boka: “ankle”

te: “you”

Isten: “God”

If a friend posted something about birthday greetings, which phrase would you use?

23. Talking about New Year on Social Media in Hungarian

Impress your friends with your Hungarian New Year’s wishes this year. Learn the phrases easily!

Dávid celebrates the New Year, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Boldog új évet kívánok! Legyen boldogságban és egészségben gazdag év ez minden kedves rokonomnak és ismerősömnek!
“I wish you a happy new year! Let your year be full of happiness and health to all my dear relatives and friends!”

1- Boldog új évet kívánok!

First is an expression meaning “I wish you a happy new year!.”
This is the most common way to send your greetings during the New Year season.
You can find postcards with this greeting as well. There’s also a popular abbreviation for this – just take the first letters of these tour words: “BÚÉK!”

2- Legyen boldogságban és egészségben gazdag év ez minden kedves rokonomnak és ismerősömnek!

Then comes the phrase – “Let your year be full of happiness and health to all my dear relatives and friends!”
This sentence expresses your best wishes for the year and for your relatives and friends. It’s formal but safe to use with everyone.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Újabb év, újabb betarthatatlan fogadalmak.

His wife’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “Another year, another unenforceable resolution.”
Use this expression to be funny about New Year’s resolutions.

2- Boldog új évet nektek is!

His neighbor, Ági, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year to you too!”
This is the traditional response to a New Year’s wish.

3- Lesz buli nálatok?

His college friend, Géza, uses an expression meaning – “Will there be a party at your place?”
Ask this question if you need more information.

4- Hogy boldog lesz-e, azt még senki nem tudja.

His nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “No one knows whether it’ll be happy yet. ”
Use this expression to show you are feeling somewhat cynical about the New Year.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

rokon: “relative”

év: “year”

betarthatatlan: “unenforceable”

fogadalom: “resolution”

is: “too, as well, also”

buli: “party”

tud: “to know”

Which is your favorite phrase to post on social media during New Year?

But before New Year’s Day comes another important day…

24. What to Post on Christmas Day in Hungarian

What will you say in Hungarian about Christmas?

Anna celebrates Christmas with her family, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anna’s post.

Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket kíván a Szabó család!
“The Szabó family wishes you a Merry Christmas!”

1- Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket kíván

First is an expression meaning “wishes you a Merry Christmas”.
You can use this phrase to send your Christmas greetings. You should place your name or your family name at the end of it, because the last verb is in third person singular. Even though a family consists of a group of people, it stays in the third person singular because it’s considered a unit in this case.

2- a Szabó család!

Then comes the phrase – “The Szabó family.”
The surname in this phrase is very common in Hungary.

COMMENTS

In response, Anna’s friends leave some comments.

1- Békés ünnepeket kívánok!

Her supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “I wish you a peaceful holiday!”
This is a formal wish for a good day, appropriate for this occasion.

2- Jaj Anna, nagyon köszönöm a szép képeslapot!

Her husband’s high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “Oh Anna, thank you very much for the nice postcard!”
Use this expression if you are appreciative of a postcard the poster sent you.

3- Már látom magam előtt a sok finom karácsonyi ételt. Idén se leszek vékonyabb.

Her high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I can already see a lot of delicious Christmas food in front of myself. Even this year I won’t be thinner.”
Use this expression to be funny.

4- Nem bírom ezt a nagy karácsonyi nyüzsgést. Ne hívjatok, nem megyek sehova!

Her nephew, István, uses an expression meaning – “I can’t stand this big Christmas bustle. Don’t call me, I’m not going anywhere!”
Use these phrases to express humour with a bit of cynicism.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kíván: “to wish”

karácsony: “Christmas”

békés: “peaceful”

ünnep: “holiday”

képeslap: “postcard”

finom: “delicious”

idén: “this year”

nyüzsgés: “bustle”

If a friend posted something about Christmas greetings, which phrase would you use?

So, the festive season is over! Yet, there will always be other days, besides a birthday, to wish someone well.

25. Post about Your Anniversary in Hungarian

Some things deserve to be celebrated, like wedding anniversaries. Learn which Hungarian phrases are meaningful and best suited for this purpose!

Dávid celebrates his wedding anniversary with his wife, posts an image of the two of them together, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Dávid’s post.

Boldog évfordulót, kedvesem!
“Happy anniversary darling!”

1- Boldog évfordulót

First is an expression meaning “Happy anniversary.”
Use this phrase to congratulate a person or a group on their anniversary.

2- kedvesem!

Then comes the phrase – “darling!”
This is how you call someone “darling” in Hungarian. It’s used in a more romantic context and is not as casual as the term “honey”.

COMMENTS

In response, Dávid’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nagyon boldog vagyok! Köszönök mindent, Dávid!

His wife, Anna, uses an expression meaning – “I’m very happy! Thank you for everything, Dávid!”
Use these phrases to show your appreciation of your partner’s comment.

2- Én is akarok évfordulót! Meg ajándékot!

His wife’s high school friend, Nóra, uses an expression meaning – “I also want an anniversary! And a gift!”
Use these phrases to be funny.

3- Csodás pár vagytok! Sok örömökben gazdag évet kívánok nektek.

His high school friend, Anikó, uses an expression meaning – “You’re a wonderful couple! I wish you many years rich in joy.”
These phrases indicate your appreciation of the couple’s happiness, and include a warmhearted well-wish.

4- Gratulálok! Rendkívüli örömmel tölt el, hogy ilyen szeretetben látlak titeket.

His supervisor, Róbert, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations! I feel extraordinary joy seeing you so in love.”
Use these phrases to show your appreciation and congratulate the couple.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

évforduló: “anniversary”

ajándék: “present”

öröm: “joy”

gazdag: “rich”

rendkívüli: “extraordinary”

ilyen: “such”

szeretet: “love”

If a friend posted something about Anniversary greetings, which phrase would you use?

Conclusion

Learning to speak a new language will always be easier once you know key phrases that everybody uses. These would include commonly used expressions for congratulations and best wishes, etc.

Master these in fun ways with Learn Hungarian! We offer a variety of tools to individualize your learning experience, including using cell phone apps, audiobooks, iBooks and many more. Never wonder again what to say on social media!

How to say sorry in Hungarian is probably one of the first things you should learn when starting out. Knowing how to apologize is a crucial part of every language, be it when you bump into someone on the metro or when you eat your friend’s portion of the cake. There are many different ways you can express how sorry you are to a Hungarian person, and we are going to show all of them to you now.

Some apology words you will see below are mostly used in formal settings while other expressions are exclusive to situations involving friends and family or people you know well.

First, we are going to cover the most important, common ways to say sorry in Hungarian, then we are going to look at expressions on how to take the blame for something, and ones for formal and business situations. Later on, condolences will be explained to you as well as ways to react to someone saying sorry in Hungarian to you.

In case you will have any unanswered questions left after having read this article, feel free to address it below in the comments section or contact us, or even better, join our big family of Hungarian language learners who could help you out with your questions as well.

But for now, let’s jump into what we have. Ready? Set. Go!

Table of Contents

1. The Most Important Ways to Say Sorry in Hungarian
2. How to Take the Blame
3. Expressions for Formal and Business Situations
4. Condolences
5. How to Answer to Someone Saying Sorry
6. Other Expressions
7. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Reach Your Goals in Learning Hungarian

1. The Most Important Ways to Say Sorry in Hungarian

Here, we are going to show you what the most common ways to say sorry in Hungarian are. Moreover, these are very short and easy as well, so if you memorize them well, you should be set for basic everyday situations. Let’s see what they are:

“Sorry.” – Bocsi! / Bocsánat!

The first option here of “sorry” in Hungarian is used in rather informal situations, however, the second one can be used with people you do not really know, too. These can be used when you do something wrong or clumsy, such as stepping on someone’s foot on the train.

“I’m sorry.” – Sajnálom!

Say sorry in Hungarian like “Sajnálom!” if you have hurt the person in some way. For example:

“I’m sorry I didn’t invite you to the party.” – Sajnálom, hogy nem hívtalak meg a buliba!

“I apologize.” – Bocsánatot kérek!

Unlike the very first basic way to say sorry in Hungarian, this one is more formal.

“Don’t be mad at me!” – Ne haragudj!

Even though in English, it has a slightly different meaning than the word “sorry” itself, in Hungarian, this expression is still used as an alternative to apologizing.

“I didn’t want to…” – Nem akartam…

“I will make it right.” – Jóvá teszem!

“Please, forgive me.” – Kérlek, bocsáss meg!

This one is more likely to follow an apology sentence, however, in Hungary, it is not uncommon to say Bocsáss meg as a way of saying sorry.

See more common ways of saying sorry in Hungarian.

2. How to Take the Blame

No matter the language or the culture, owning up to your mistakes is a great skill as it takes balls to do so, thus it is highly valued everywhere. That is why we wanted to include it for sure, because there might come situations where you will need to say sorry because you’ve done something wrong, and it harmed the person in some way. Acknowledging your mistake and apologizing for it is a very important thing to do, especially in Hungary. Let’s see how you can do it:

“It’s my fault.” – Az én hibám.

This is not an apology in Hungarian itself, you have to pair it with a way to say sorry, however, it is a great way to let the person know that you know you have done them wrong.

“I didn’t know.” – Nem tudtam.

We are not saying this serves as an apology itself, but it is a good way to express that you did not do the person wrong on purpose.

“It happened because of me.” – Miattam történt.

“I should’ve thought it through.” – Át kellett volna gondolnom.

“I have let you down.” – Cserben hagytalak.

It is a rather serious thing to say to someone, but sometimes it is necessary to do so. Hungarians appreciate honesty and when you are able to acknowledge what you have done and apologize for that.

“I’ve done wrong.” – Rosszat tettem.

“I shouldn’t have acted without asking you.” – Nem kellett volna cselekednem anélkül, hogy megkérdeztelek volna.

Here are some tips on how to take the blame if you need to.

3. Expressions for Formal and Business Situations

It is important to learn how to say sorry in Hungarian language for business situations as well because you might need them there as well. If you submit a report a bit late, or do something wrong, you should apologize for your mistakes.

In this section, you will learn how to do just that. However, bear in mind that these expressions are not only suitable for business settings but formal conversations and relationships in general as well.

“I sincerely apologize.” – Őszintén bocsánatot kérek!

“I know I shouldn’t have changed this last minute. I sincerely apologize.” – Tudom, hogy nem kellett volna ezt az utolsó percben megváltoztatnom. Őszintén bocsánatot kérek!

“I’m truly sorry.” – Igazán sajnálom!

“I hope I can make it up to the team. I’m truly sorry.” – Remélem, rendbe hozom a dolgokat a csapatnak. Igazán sajnálom!

“I apologize for my behavior today.” – Bocsánatot kérek a mai viselkedésemért!

It can happen, that for whatever reason, you might need to apologize to your co-workers if you got mad at them for something personal that had nothing to do with them. In this case, this sentence is a great way to let them know you are aware you did wrong and you apologize for it.

Click to hear apologies in Hungarian in formal settings. You can find a conversation here too.

4. Condolences

Knowing how to pay your condolences is crucial in any language as grave things could happen to anyone, in any country. So, if you have a Hungarian friend who lost someone they cared about, you will know what to say and how to respectfully let them know you are sorry for their loss.

Here is how to express your emotions regarding the matter:

“I’m sorry to hear that.” – Sajnálattal hallom!

“My mother is in the hospital.” – Anyukám kórházban van.

“That’s awful. I’m sorry to hear that.” – Ez szörnyű! Sajnálattal hallom!

“Please, take my sincere condolences.” – Kérlek, fogadd őszinte részvétemet!

“Yesterday, my father passed away.” – Tegnap elhunyt édesapám.

“I’m so sorry. Please, take my sincere condolences.” – Annyira sajnálom! Kérlek, fogadd őszinte részvétemet!

See quotes about family.

“Condolences.” – Részvétem!

“My boyfriend’s dog had to be put down. He has been sick for a long time.” – A barátom kutyáját el kellett altatni. Már régóta beteg volt.

“Poor dog. Condolences.” – Szegény kutya! Részvétem!

“I’m sorry for your loss.” – Sajnálom a veszteségedet.

“I lost my aunt to cancer last month.” – Rák miatt vesztettem el a nagynénémet múlt hónapban.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” – Sajnálom a veszteségedet.

Still not sure how to approach such situations? Click here and learn more.

5. How to Answer to Someone Saying Sorry

It is not only you, however, that will probably say the above-mentioned words and phrases at some point during your journey in Hungary. You are just as likely to hear these from others. And when you hear excuse me and I am sorry in Hungarian, you should know how to reply. For this reason, we created this section here for you.

Let’s see the different ways you can answer someone who says they are very sorry in Hungarian.

When someone says: “I’m sorry” or “I apologize”, you can say…

“Everything’s okay.” – Minden rendben.

“Don’t worry.” – Ne aggódj!

“No problem.” – Nem probléma. / Nem gond.

“It’s nothing.” – Semmiség.

“Thank you for apologizing.” – Köszönöm, hogy bocsánatot kértél!

“Thank you for saying that.” – Köszönöm, hogy ezt mondod!

“I appreciate that.” – Értékelem.

6. Other Expressions

To finish off, we are going to show you a few other expressions linked to apologies in Hungarian.

For example, the translation for “Sorry, sir.” Would look like this: Bocsánat, uram!

“Apology” in Hungarian means Bocsánatkérés.

Although there is no single Hungarian word for “I apologize”, it means Bocsánatot kérek.

Just like “I am very sorry” in Hungarian is Nagyon sajnálom!

“Sorry, I don’t understand” in Hungarian is Sajnálom, nem értem.

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

This marks the end of our article here. We hope you know by now all the different ways you can say sorry in Hungarian. Let’s recap what we have learnt today: We looked at basic ways to say sorry in Hungarian, as well as learnt how to take the blame for things and express that to others. We listed expressions for formal situations, thus ones you can use in business settings as well, and we taught you how to express your condolences to people who have recently lost someone they loved.

If you liked this list of common ways to say sorry in Hungarian, you can find many similar articles on the HungarianPod101 website. Just visit our blog and browse amongst many interesting articles that might be helpful for your language learning journey.

If you are interested in different study materials than articles, we offer many vocabulary lists for free, however, if you want to make the most out of your potential and time spent learning, we advise you to join the HungarianPod101 family to be able to study with a personal tutor who can help you along the way.

We promise you will love this community! Join today and let the happy language learning begin!

What are common ways to say sorry in your country? Is there any manner/gesture you do, too?

Do you know the meaning of St. Stephen’s Day in Hungary? Really, there are two meanings. On St. Stephen’s Day, Hungary observes both:

• A Christian holiday to celebrate St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary
• A celebration commemorating Hungary’s 1000-year unbroken statehood

In this article, you’ll learn more about the long history behind the Feast Day of St. Stephen of Hungary, who is perhaps the most significant historical figure in the country. The effect that time and change can have on a country and its celebrations is truly fascinating, and at HungarianPod101.com, we hope to make this a fun and informative learning adventure!

By delving into the St. Stephen Feast Day, you’re opening yourself up to greater cultural understanding and historical knowledge, and this is a vital step in mastering any language. So let’s get started.

1. What is St. Stephen’s Day?

First and foremost, St. Stephen Day is a Chrisitan holiday, and is one of the oldest holidays in Hungary. It commemorates the day almost a thousand years ago when St. Stephen I relics were canonized in the Basilica of Fehérvár. This is significant because St. Stephen I was Hungary’s first king and founded the Chrisitan Kingdom of Hungary, raising Hungary from the status of a nomadic tribe to a kingdom recognized among other European countries. Further, he created the Hungarian Christian Church and the first book of laws in Hungary.

While mainly a Christian holiday, St. Stephen Day has taken on other meanings over the years.

In particular, during the communist dictatorship of Hungary, the country was forced to abandon this holiday as a celebration of St. Stephen. Instead, the country’s current dictator founded another state: The People’s Republic of Hungary, announced on August 20, 1949. This day came to be known as Day of the Constitution, and was mixed in with the Soviet Union celebration of The Day of the New Bread. At this point, it was similar to the centuriesüold harvesting ceremonies, but is essentially unrelated.

In 1989, communism ended in Hungary and St. Stephen Day could once again be celebrated as the Christian and nationalistic holiday it began as.

2. St. Stephen’s Day Date

Each year, Christians in Hungary celebrate St. Stephen Day on August 20. This is the date on which St. Stephen relics were canonized, and the date of the People’s Republic of Hungary being founded.

3. Traditions & Celebrations for St. Stephen’s Day

Today, people all throughout Hungary celebrate St. Stephen Day. In Budapest, a mass takes place outside of the St. Stephen Basilica. Following this is the procession of the Holy Right, which is the mummified right hand of Stephen I, preserved since the 11th century.

However, the most spectacular St. Stephen Day celebration is the fireworks in Budapest, often watched from the river bank of Danube.

4. Firework Dangers

Unfortunately the aforementioned fireworks are not all about amusement. In 2006, there was a huge storm during the fireworks and five people lost their lives, and hundreds were injured when tens of thousands of people tried to escape the storm.

5. Vocabulary to Know for St. Stephen Day in Hungary

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for St. Stephen Day in Hungary!

• Kenyér — “Bread”
• Szent István napja -az államalapítás ünnepe — “St. Stephen Day”
• Körmenet — “Procession”
• Fehér kenyér — “White bread”
• Szent István — “Saint Stephen”
• Pogány — “Paganish”
• Király — “King”
• Magyar — “Hungarian”
• Államalapítás — “Foundation of the state”
• Tűzijáték — “Firework”
• Szentté avat — “Canonize”

To hear of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our St. Stephen Day vocabulary list!

How HungarianPod101 Can Help You Master Hungarian

The St. Stephen’s Day holiday is a unique facet of Hungarian culture, colored by its history. What do you think of this Hungarian holiday? Is there a similar holiday in your own country? Tell us about it in the comments!

To continue learning about Hungarian culture and the language, explore HungarianPod101.com and take advantage of our numerous learning tools:

• Insightful blog posts about a range of topics
• Free vocabulary lists covering various topics and themes
• Podcasts to improve your listening and pronunciation skills
• Mobile apps to learn Hungarian wherever you are, on your own time
• Much, much more!

If you prefer a one-on-one learning approach, or want to give it a try, be sure to upgrade to Premium Plus. In doing so, you’ll gain access to your own personal teacher and a learning plan tailored to your needs and goals!

Whatever your reason for learning Hungarian, know that your hard work and determination will pay off! You’ll be speaking, writing, and reading like a native in no time, and HungarianPod101 will be here with you on each step of your journey to language mastery.

The growing popularity of the internet and smartphones has made slang and abbreviated language a key component in our daily communication. One could argue that slang is, in fact, a crucial part of any language. 

In this article from HungarianPod101, you’ll learn 30 of the most common Hungarian internet slang words that are also used in texting. Many of the phrases we’ll cover have counterparts in English, while others are unique to the Hungarian language. 

You’ll greatly benefit from knowing these Hungarian slang terms for the ‘net if you ever plan on having a Hungarian penpal (or…textpal?) or setting up a gettogether for Budapest locals online, for example.

Anyhoo, let’s get started. (See what we did there?)

Table of Contents

1. Small Talk
2. Casual Conversations
3. Expressing Your Opinions and Emotions
4. Giving an Explanation…
5. Conjunctions
6. Adverbs
7. Questions
8. Hungarian Internet Words Derived from English
9. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Goals

1. Small Talk

To begin, let’s look at some Hungarian slang words that are useful for starting a conversation on the internet. 

#1 – Szvsz / Szasz / Sz / Sws

Meaning: 

Hey. / Hi. 

Usage:

You can use these Hungarian slang terms in texting. They’re very convenient when you’re in a hurry—omitting a few letters of the original word makes it super-quick to type them in the chat box.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Szevasz

Example:

A: Szvsz. / “Hey.”
B: Sws. Mi újság? / “Hi. What’s up?”

→ Make sure to check out our free vocabulary list Common Ways to Say Hello in Hungarian for more ways to break the ice!

#2 – Mizu? 

Meaning:

‘Sup? 

Usage:

You can use this Hungarian slang word in both texting and speech when you want to inquire about the person you’re talking to. While it can be used in face-to-face conversations, you might want to save this phrase for close friends or other people you know on some level.

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Mi újság?

Újság means “news” in Hungarian. So basically, you’re asking about the recent happenings in a person’s life.

Example:

A: Szasz. Mizu? / “Hey. ‘Sup?”
B: Nem sok. És veled? / “Not much. And with you?”

#3 – Hv?

Meaning:

How are you?

Usage:

This Hungarian text slang word is indeed restricted to texts, as it would be difficult to say these two consonants out loud. And weird, too…

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Hogy vagy?

Example:

Olyan rég nem beszéltünk… Hv? / “We haven’t talked in so long. How are you?”

2. Casual Conversations

Here are some common Hungarian texting words that are great to use during any conversation.

#4 – Vaok / Vok

Meaning:

I am

Usage:

Hungarians love to opt out of using their digraphs, right? They also love to save time, which is why this Hungarian text slang word is so popular.

Original Hungarian Word:

Vagyok

Example:

Itt vok. / “I’m here.”

#5 – Meek

Meaning:

I’m going

Usage:

You can use this one if you’re in a hurry and just want to let the other person know that you’ll be running off now.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Megyek

Example:

Most meek. Később beszélünk. / “I’m going now. We’ll talk later.”

#6 – Tali / Tala

Meaning:

Meeting

Usage:

This is the perfect Hungarian slang word to use if you want to seem laid-back or if you’re in a hurry. This one can also be used in real-life conversations, not just in texting.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Találkozó (noun – “meeting”) / Találkozni (verb – “to meet”)

Examples:

• Talizzunk 7-kor! / “Let’s meet at 7 p.m.!”
• Tala a mozi előtt. / “We’ll meet in front of the cinema!”

Learn how to make plans with others in our lesson Organizing a Meeting in Hungary. 

#7 – Oan

Meaning: 

So / Such

Usage:

This is a very common word, mostly used to stress the concept of “how much.” For example, how much you like something. 

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Olyan

Examples:

• Ez egy oan jó étterem. / “It’s such a good restaurant.”
• Oan jó, hogy számíthatok rád. / “It’s so good that I can count on you.”

3. Expressing Your Opinions and Emotions

Many friendships and relationships are started through the sharing of likes and dislikes, opinions on certain topics, and other expressions of self. Here’s some internet and text slang in Hungarian to help you communicate your opinions and emotions! 

#8 – Teccik

Meaning:

To like

Usage:

This word is perfect for expressing yourself when you fancy something or someone.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Tetszik (To like)

Examples:

• Teccik ez a ruha. / “I like this dress.”
• Teccik nekem az a srác. / “I like that guy.”

#9 – Szeri 

Meaning:

Love

Usage:

You can pop this expression into any conversation to let the person know you appreciate them. If you want to emphasize it, throw in a few additional i’s at the end.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Szeretet (noun – “love”) / Szeretlek (verb – “I love you”)

Example:

Jaj, ez aranyos. Szeriii. / “Aww. That’s so sweet. Love.”

#10 – Sztem / Szentem 

Meaning:

I think

Usage:

Either variation of this slang term can be used to more quickly type out your thoughts on something. 

Original Hungarian Word: 

Szerintem

Example:

Sztem jól áll neked. / “I think it suits you.”

#11 – Nemtom 

Meaning:

I don’t know

Usage:

This phrase is normally used if you aren’t sure about something and want the person you’re conversing with to leave you alone. It might be considered rude to use this slang word alone without giving an explanation afterwards.

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Nem tudom

Example:

A: Miért nem akarsz szombaton találkozni? / “Why do you not want to meet on Saturday?”
B: Nemtom. / “I don’t know.”

→ Afraid of finding yourself in the above situation? Then study our lesson Best Ways to Reject an Invitation in Hungarian—you never know when you might need one of these phrases!

#12 – Asszem 

Meaning:

I believe

Usage:

This is one of the most common Hungarian texting words, though it’s also used in face-to-face conversations. Hungarians are most likely to use it when they’re not sure about something.

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Azt hiszem

Example:

Jönni fog ma este? / “Will he come tonight?”
Asszem. / “I believe (so).”

4. Giving an Explanation…

These two essential Hungarian slang phrases will come in handy when you’re trying to 1) avoid giving an explanation or 2) give a good explanation for something. 

#13 – Mind1 / M1 

Meaning:

Nevermind / Whatever

Usage:

This is one of the most common Hungarian internet words. It can save you time and give your text or chat message a hint of playfulness. Use it when you just don’t want to give an explanation and want to change the subject.

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Mindegy

Example:

Bocsi, mit is mondtál? / “Sorry, what did you say?”
Mind1. / “Nevermind.”

#14 – Mmint 

Meaning:

I mean… / In other words…

Usage:

First of all, there’s no way this could work in real-life conversations. However, it’s quite useful when texting, as it’s always nice to omit a few letters when you’re in a rush. This word is perfect if you want to explain something better.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Mármint

Example:

Nem tudom, mit csináljak. Mmint, tanultam a tesztre, de nem biztos, hogy átmegyek.
“I don’t know what to do. I mean, I studied for the test, but I’m not sure I’ll pass it.”

5. Conjunctions

Considering how frequently used conjunctions are, it should come as no surprise that they’re often abbreviated for convenience.

#15 – H 

Meaning:

That

Usage:

If you want to be the ultimate king or queen of Hungarian internet slang words, you need to know this one. This slang word is still very commonly used nowadays, among all Hungarians regardless of age.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Hogy

Example:

Tudtam, h te voltál az! / “I knew that it was you!”

#16 – V 

Meaning:

Or

Usage:

This one is another popular Hungarian internet slang term. Just like the previous example, this is just a simple letter, but everybody understands what it means. Do be aware, however, that it would be weird to use this one in a real-life conversation.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Vagy

Example:

A macskákat v a kutyákat szereted? / “Do you like cats or dogs?”

#17 – Mer’

Meaning:

Because

Usage:

The Hungarian slang word mer’ is very common in Hungarian and it’s used in spoken conversation as well. It’s similar to the English abbreviation “‘cuz” for “because.”

Original Hungarian Word: 

Mert

Example:

A: Miért nem jössz ma este? / “Why won’t you come tonight?”
B: Mer’ otthon kell segítenem. / “‘Cuz I need to help at home.”

#18 – Szal 

Meaning:

So

Usage:

This Hungarian slang term is great for starting any story.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Szóval

Example:

Szal arra gondoltam, (hogy)… / “So I was thinking…”

#19 – Am 

Meaning:

By the way

Usage:

This slang term can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Also, it works both online and offline (though it’s more common online). 

Original Hungarian Word: 

Amúgy

Example:

Am mit fogsz csinálni a téli szünetben? / “By the way, what are you doing during winter holiday?”

6. Adverbs

Find some adverb shortenings in our Hungarian slang dictionary next up.

#20 – Naon 

Meaning:

Very

Usage:

Just as we saw earlier in the case of vaok / vok, this is another example of omitting the digraph from the middle of a word. Nowadays, this slang term is mostly used sarcastically to emphasize “very.” 

Original Hungarian Word: 

Nagyon

Example:

Naon örülök, hogy írtál! / “I’m very glad you texted me.”

#21 – Valszeg

Meaning:

Probably

Usage:

This slang term is most often used in texting, though it’s sometimes used in spoken conversation as well. As you’ll see, the original word is rather long! 

Original Hungarian Word: 

Valószínűleg

Example:

A: Hol van? / “Where is she?”
B: Valszeg alszik. / “She’s probably sleeping.”

#22 – Légyszi / Lécci

Meaning:

Please

Usage:

These two terms are both frequently used when asking someone to do something for you. However, lécci is only used sarcastically or when you want to emphasize how much you want something. In this case, feel free to add a few extra letters in there, like lééécciiii. Légyszi is also a slang word, but it’s somewhat more sophisticated.

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Légy szíves!

Example:

• Légyszi, legyél őszinte! / “Please, be honest.”
• Léééciiiii, elmegyünk arra a koncertre? / “Please, can we go to that concert?”

#23 – Vmikor 

Meaning:

Sometime

Usage:

There are several Hungarian internet slang phrases similar to this one: vki, vmi, vhol, etc. Basically, everything that starts with vala- can be (and is) shortened. Hungarians love to abbreviate words like the one below, so you’ll very likely run into them while talking to a Hungarian online.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Valamikor

Example:

• Vmikor el kellene mennünk nyaralni. / “We should go on a vacation sometime.”
• Láttam vhol a szemüvegedet. / “I’ve seen your glasses somewhere.”

7. Questions

Asking and answering questions is an essential aspect of effective communication, but there’s no reason questions should take forever to type! Here are some slang terms and abbreviations you can use for questions in your next text or chat session with a Hungarian speaker.

#24 – Mien? 

Meaning: 

What? / What kind (of)? 

Usage:

This Hungarian slang word used to be very cool in the early 2000s, but nowadays it’s mostly used in a sarcastic manner. In most cases, you should just write the actual word out—and using this abbreviation in real-life conversations is a big no-no!

Original Hungarian Word: 

Milyen?

Example:

Mien cipőben leszel? / “What (kind of) shoes will you wear?”

#25 – Mert? / Mer’? / Mér? / Mé?

Meaning:

Why?

Usage:

Lots of variations for a single word, right? Well, this one is a must when learning about Hungarian internet slang. You’ll see these slang words all over the internet, especially in instant messages. People also use them in spoken conversation. Just a little heads-up: mer and mér are considered to be the least polite and the most tacky.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Miért?

Example:

A: Bocsi, nem mondhatom el neked. / “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you.”
B: Mert? / “Why?”
A: Titok. Mé(r)’ ne mondanám el, ha lehetne? / “It’s a secret. Why wouldn’t I tell you if I could?”

#26 – Mivan?! 

Meaning:

What? / What are you saying?!

Usage:

You’ll most likely use this Hungarian texting slang term when you’re surprised.

Original Hungarian Expression: 

Mi van?

Example:

Mivan?! Komolyan? / “What?! Are you serious?”

Hungarian Internet Words Using Numbers

The following Hungarian slang words are somewhat playful as they use numbers in place of certain letters.

#27 – 1edül

Meaning:

Alone

Usage:

Hungarians want to be as efficient as possible, so they cut and shorten words wherever they can. Even here, you can see that “1” substitutes egy, which would be two more letters that are otherwise unnecessary. Smart, huh?

Original Hungarian Word: 

Egyedül

Example:

1edül mentem moziba. / “I went to the cinema alone.”

#28 – 7vége

Meaning:

Weekend

Usage:

You can use this abbreviation of hétvége if you want to appear cool in a text message when inviting someone for a drink, for example.

Original Hungarian Word: 

Hétvége

Example:

Szeretnél randizni velem ezen a 7végén? / “Do you want to go out with me this weekend?”

→ Has a Hungarian stolen your heart? Then here are some Common Hungarian Phrases You’ll Need for a Date! 😉

8. Hungarian Internet Words Derived from English

Hungarians also use certain English slang words, taken straight from the language with no changes. If you would like to see even more examples of words like those below, check out our vocabulary list Most Common Texting Slang in Hungarian. 

#29 – Lol

Meaning: 

Laugh(ing) out loud

Usage:

Simple as that. The Hungarian “lol” does not convert to a Hungarian expression; the abbreviation means the same thing it does in English.

Example:

Leöntöttem vízzel a nadrágomat. Lol. / “I spilled water on my pants. Lol.”

#30 – Yolo

Meaning:

You only live once

Usage:

This is another slang word from English with no Hungarian counterpart. Hungarians use this slang term in the same context as English speakers would.

Example:

El fogom hívni randizni. Yolo. / “I’m gonna ask her out. Yolo.”

9. How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Reach Your Goals

We hope that learning these different Hungarian slang terms for texting and the internet has empowered you and given you the confidence you need to take on the world! Using these words and phrases, you can chat with Hungarian friends confidently without feeling left out. 

But there’s one more thing that’s very important to remember: These are just…well…slang words. You must always be aware of when it’s appropriate to use them and when it’s not. Also, never confuse a slang word for its correct form! 

Did you enjoy this article, but feel like there weren’t enough words and phrases? Then make sure you check out our vocabulary list Top 20 Words You’ll Need for the Internet and our lesson series Must-Know Hungarian Slang Words & Phrases! 

If you have any questions or would like to know more about slang words and how they’re formed, ask away. The HungarianPod101 team is happy to help you out with anything. Write us a comment, or check out our vocabulary lists and other free materials for additional help. That said, joining the HungarianPod101 community comes with many additional benefits, such as audio lessons and other level-specific materials.

Before you go: Which of these Hungarian internet slang words is your favorite? 

Happy Hungarian language learning!

Hungarian is a difficult language to learn, but we at the HungarianPod101.com family wholeheartedly believe that it’s worth the struggle. Learning to speak a difficult language not only enriches your personality, but also serves as a fantastic way to exercise your brain. And learning self-introductions in particular is a vital step in forming lasting relationships with the Hungarian people, which is why when you learn Hungarian, introducing yourself is one of the first topics you should cover.

Hungarians are sociable people who enjoy being around others, but they do like to keep a healthy distance. They’re open and honest, but don’t like to overshare. They enjoy getting to know new people, but don’t like it if someone’s too much or too pushy.

So, how to introduce yourself in Hungarian? Read this blog post to find out all about introducing yourself in Hungarian phrases! I’ll go over how to introduce yourself (English to Hungarian), and more information on introducing yourself when in Hungary! Introducing yourself when studying Hungarian doesn’t have to be hard.

Table of Contents

1. Start with Your Name!
2. Note Where You Come From
3. Only Tell Your Age if You’re Comfortable Sharing it
4. “How are You?” in Hungarian
5. Putting it All Together: The Best Lines to Introduce Yourself in Hungarian
6. Talking about School or Your Profession
7. Talking about Your Family in Hungarian
8. “My Hobbies are,” in Hungarian
9. “I Have a Pet,” in Hungarian
10. That Little Extra: Body Language
11. How to Introduce People in Hungarian
12. Conclusion: How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Master Hungarian

1. Start with Your Name!

When it comes to learning Hungarian for beginners, how to introduce yourself is of utmost importance. And luckily, it’s not too hard!

Wondering how to start a conversation in Hungarian? Whenever you meet a Hungarian after you’ve said hello, they’ll most likely start off by telling you their name. Hungarians put a huge emphasis on knowing each other’s names—forgetting the name of someone you recently met is considered extremely rude.

1- “My Name is,” in Hungarian

When it comes to how to speak Hungarian when introducing yourself, starting with your name is pretty simple. So how do you say “My name is,” in Hungarian? There are basically two options for talking about your name in Hungarian:

• A nevem Vivien.
  “My name is Vivien.”
• Viviennek hívnak.
  “I’m called Vivien.”

The first example is pretty straightforward, with A nevem translating to “My name is,” in English, followed by your name. But if you’re new to Hungarian, the second phrase may look a little more complicated. Here’s a simple breakdown:

The word hívnak translates to “call,” but when the word nek is added in front of it (nek hívnak), it becomes “are called.” So to say “I’m called ___,” you would put your name at the beginning of the word nek, and follow it with hívnak.

Feel free to go with either of these options; there’s basically no difference between them.

2- Nicknames in Hungarian

Do you have a nickname? Hungarians usually have nicknames. They mostly use them in informal environments. Feel free to tell someone your nickname right at the beginning of a conversation:

• Hívj csak Vivinek.
  “Just call me Vivi.”

In this example, “Just call me…” translates to hívj csak, and adding a -nek turns it into a possessive form.
Giving your nickname is widely accepted in this culture, so don’t be shy to share it!

3- “What’s Your Name?” in Hungarian

After sharing your name, it’s super important to ask for their name too. Knowing each other’s names is extremely important in Hungarian culture. Asking someone’s name is easy:

• Hogy hívnak?
  “What’s your name?”

“What’s” translates to Hogy, whereas hívnak translates to “are called.” So essentially, you’re asking what they are called.

When you’re in a formal environment, you could say:

• Megkérdezhetem a nevét?
  “May I ask your name?”

Megkérdezhetem is a polite form of asking something, and translates to “May I ask.” And “‘your name” is a nevét.

Make sure to pay attention and remember the name of the person you’ve just met. A good trick is to continue the conversation by repeating their name:

• Örülök, hogy megismerhetlek, Vivi!
  “Nice to meet you, Vivi!”

Örülök means “happy,” and hogy megismerhetlek translates to “to meet you.” Thus, Örülök, hogy megismerhetlek literally translates to “I’m happy to meet you,” in English.

Or you can say the following in a formal environment:

• Örülök, hogy megismerhetem, Vivien!
  “Nice to meet you, Vivien.”

Hungarians have a formal form of each word, called magázódás. Thus, “to meet you” is always the same in English, whereas in Hungarian, the informal form is megismerhetlek and the formal form is megismerhetem.

4- What if You’ve Forgotten Someone’s Name?

While you learn Hungarian, how to introduce yourself isn’t too tricky. But it might still happen that you can’t recall the name of the person you’re talking to. In these cases, simply ask:

• Ne haragudj, mi is a keresztneved?
  “Sorry, what’s your name again?”

Ne haragudj translates to “sorry,” whereas mi is makes up the “again” part of the sentence.

2. Note Where You Come From

The second most important thing to remember when introducing yourself in Hungarian is letting the other person know where we come from.

1- “I Come From,” in Hungarian

Tell the other person where you’re from the following way:

• Kínából jöttem.
  “I come from China.”
• Amerikából jöttem.
  “I come from America.”
• Horvátországból jöttem.
  “I come from Croatia.”

Jövök means “I come,” though Hungarians say it in past tense, as jöttem. To add “from,” they add -ból after the country name.

Fancy learning some country names in Hungarian? Visit our country vocabulary list and make the introduction easier!

3. Only Tell Your Age if You’re Comfortable Sharing it

As stated at the beginning of this article, Hungarian people are reserved and don’t like to overshare stuff about themselves. Thus, age is considered an intimate topic in Hungarian culture. While learning how to introduce yourself in Hungarian language, make sure to only share your age if you’re comfortable with it, and only ask about someone’s age if you’re sure they won’t take it personally.

Talking about your age in Hungarian is super-easy, and there’s only one way to do so:

• 23 éves vagyok.
  “I’m twenty-three years old.”

“I am” translates to vagyok, and “years old” translates to éves in this sentence.

Asking about someone’s age is simple as well:

• Hány éves vagy?
  “How old are you?”

In a formal environment, it’s a bit different:

• Megkérdezhetem, hogy mennyi idős?
  “May I ask how old you are?”

When using the formal form, you skip vagy, and simply ask mennyi idős, which is a more polite form of hány éves.

4. “How are You?” in Hungarian

Now you might wonder: Why didn’t we mention “How are you?” in Hungarian before now? That’s because Hungarians simply don’t ask this question as often as foreigners do. They only use this question in informal environments (for example, when chatting with friends or relatives).

• Hogy vagy?
  “How are you?”

“How” translates to hogy, and “are you” translates to vagy.

When you’re in a formal environment, you could say:

• Hogy van?
  “How are you?”

In a formal environment, instead of vagy, we use van, which is simply the formal form of vagy.

5. Putting it All Together: The Best Lines to Introduce Yourself in Hungarian

Now that you know the basics, I’ll go over the best lines to introduce yourself in Hungarian. When it comes to the Hungarian language, it’s important to note that there’s a significant difference between formal and informal introductions. Let’s see how they differ.

1- Informal Introduction in Hungarian

The informal introduction is the easiest, as there are no strict rules here. You can welcome someone informally in many ways, such as:

• Helló!
  “Hello!”
• Szia! or Cső
  “Hi!”

Then you can continue by stating your name, age, and nationality.

• Vivinek hívnak, 23 éves vagyok és Indonéziából jöttem.
  “My name is Vivi, I’m twenty-three years old, and I come from Indonesia.”

This is easy, but when you want to be a bit more formal, you need to use more polite expressions.

2- Introducing Yourself Formally in Hungarian

When introducing yourself formally in Hungarian, you want to ensure that you welcome the other person in a very polite way, such as:

• Jó reggelt / napot / estét!
  “Good morning / afternoon / evening!”
• Üdvözlöm!
  “Greetings!”

Then you want to emphasize how glad you are to meet the person:

• Örülök, hogy megismerhetem!
  “Nice to meet you!”

And only after that can you proceed to introduce yourself. This part is the same as it was with the informal introduction.

• Vivien vagyok, 23 éves és Indonéziából származom.
  “My name is Vivi, I’m twenty-three years old, and I come from Indonesia.”

You successfully introduced yourself, but how should you continue the conversation? You’ve now shared the most important facts about yourself, but there’s still a lot to tell.

Hungarians are very reserved and only like to share things they’re entirely comfortable sharing with others. Thus, make sure you don’t share too much about yourself; otherwise, your chat partner might feel intimidated. Instead, outline the most important things in your life.

6. Talking about School or Your Profession

Whether or not you’re studying is very significant in Hungary. Thus, you might want to continue by stating:

• Még iskolába járok.
  “I’m still studying.”

“Still” translates to Még, whereas “I’m studying” translates to iskolába járok.

• Már dolgozom.
  “I’m working already.”

“Already” translates to Már, whereas “I’m working” translates to dolgozom.

In Hungarian, tanulok means “I learn.” To tell someone what you’re studying, you put the Hungarian word for that topic in front of tanulok. To share what your major is, here’s a short list of the most common ones:

• Közgazdaságtant tanulok.
  “I’m studying economics.”
• Mérnöknek tanulok.
  “I’m studying engineering.”
• Jogásznak tanulok.
  “I’m studying to become a lawyer.”
• Pszihológiát tanulok.
  “I’m studying psychology.”

To talk about your profession, check out our list of twenty common occupations in this language. Then, tell your profession as follows:

• Fodrász vagyok.
  “I’m working as a hairdresser.”

Dolgozom means “I’m working,” and “as a” translates to -ként, thus word-by-word, this sentence is Fodrászként dolgozom in Hungarian. But to make it short and simple, they say Fodrász vagyok, or “I’m a hairdresser.”

• Pincér vagyok.
  “I’m working as a bartender.”
• Diák vagyok.
  “I’m a student.”

7. Talking about Your Family in Hungarian

When it comes to personal details, it’s important to keep in mind the previously mentioned rule. Stay cool, and don’t overshare.

We know how hard it is to gather all those family-related words for a proper introduction, so we created a short and sweet list of the must-know terms for describing family members. Some family-related sentence examples include:

• Házas vagyok.
  “I’m married.”
• Kettő gyermekem van.
  “I have two children.”
• For more numbers in Hungarian, check our number vocabulary list!

Kettő means “Two,” gyermek means “children,” and to note that they’re yours, you add -em which forms gyermekem.

• Kettő testvérem van.
  “I have two siblings.”

Now that you’ve shared some info about your loved ones, you can move onto talking about your hobbies.

8. “My Hobbies are,” in Hungarian

Talking about your hobbies in Hungarian is very simple:

• A hobbim…
  “My hobby is…”

What’s your hobby? Do you enjoy playing the guitar? Maybe drawing? Check out our list of hobbies to know how to say your favorite past-time activity in Hungarian.

9. “I Have a Pet,” in Hungarian

Hungarian people love animals and they enjoy talking about them. Make sure to bring up this topic if you have a pet. Talking about your pets in Hungarian is sweet and simple:

• Van egy kisállatom.
  “I have a pet.”

It’s best to tell what kind of pet you have, and for this, we’ve prepared a vocabulary list to help your learning process. Check our animal vocabulary list and enjoy talking about your pets!

10. That Little Extra: Body Language

Now that you know what makes a good Hungarian introduction, it’s time to talk about body language. Hungarian people don’t give too much importance to body language, but there are still some things you might want to consider.

• It’s important to maintain eye contact while talking to someone, otherwise, you might seem dishonest.
• Putting your hands on your hips might be considered rude in some cases; it suggests violence.
• Tucking your thumbs into the belt or into the pockets is sometimes considered an act of cockiness.

11. How to Introduce People in Hungarian

There’s only one thing we haven’t mentioned yet: How to introduce people in Hungarian. What if you’re with a friend and you want to introduce them? This may be the simplest sentence of all in this article:

• Ő Adam.
  “His name is Adam.”

“His name” translates to Az ő neve, and the whole sentence is Az ő neve Ada in Hungarian. However, to keep it short, you just skip az and neve, and just say, Ő Adam.

• Ő a barátom, Adam.
  “This is my friend, Adam.”

When you’re in a formal environment, you could say:

• Be szeretném mutatni Adamot.
  “I would like to introduce Adam.”

“I would like to” means szeretném, and “to introduce” means bemutatni. However, be- is a preverb, and we use it separately from mutatni, as in Be szeretném mutatni.

12. Conclusion: How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Master Hungarian

Have we answered your question of “How do I give an introduction of myself in Hungarian?” Do you feel more confident about how to introduce yourself, Hungarian to English?

When introducing yourself in this language, it’s essential to start with your name, share your nationality, describe your profession, and talk about your hobbies. Learning how to introduce yourself in Hungarian is the first step to mastering the language. It might seem complicated at first, but steady practice will get you nice results.

If you fancy getting help, don’t hesitate to join the HungarianPod101 family. In the meantime, also follow our YouTube channel for free educational videos, or check out our Hungarian lessons “Introduce Yourself” for additional info on this topic.

To practice what you’ve learned in this article, write us a quick introductory paragraph about yourself in Hungarian! We’d love to hear from you!

Mother’s Day, celebrated in countries all over the world, is a day of showing love and appreciation for one’s mother or motherly figures. Traditions for Mother’s Day in Hungary vary in some ways from celebrations in your own country, though there are bound to be many similarities, too.

In Hungary, Mother’s Day is when you can expect to see little children giving their mothers handmade Mother’s Day gifts, Mother’s Day cards, or sweet-smelling lilacs. Maybe even while singing the words Orgona ága, barackfa virága (literally meaning “Organ Branch, Peach Tree Flower” ) to honor their beloved mothers.

By learning about how Hungary celebrates Mother’s Day, you’re both showing respect for the country of your target language, and giving yourself an opportunity to expand your understanding of the holiday itself. At HungarianPod101.com, we hope to make learning about Hungarian culture both fun and insightful! And we believe that learning about Mother’s Day in this country is both of those things.

Let’s get started!

1. What is Mother’s Day in Hungary?

What day is Mother’s Day?

The tradition of celebrating mothers can be traced back to ancient Greece. In the early 20th century, America started celebrating Mother’s Day, and later more and more European countries joined.

Hungarians first celebrated mothers on the first Sunday of May in 1925. The celebration was organized by the Hungarian Red Cross Youth. The date was chosen to connect the occasion with the traditional cult of the Blessed Virgin service.

2. When is Mother’s Day?

The Mother’s Day date in Hungary varies from year to year, but is always the first Sunday in May. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

• 2019: May 5
• 2020: May 3
• 2021: May 2
• 2022: May 1
• 2023: May 7
• 2024: May 5
• 2025: May 4
• 2026: May 3
• 2027: May 2
• 2028: May 7

3. Reading Practice: How is Mother’s Day Celebrated?

How is Mother’s Day in Hungary celebrated? Read the Hungarian text below to find out, and find the English translation directly below it.

—

Májusban minden óvoda és iskola tart kisebb-nagyobb anyák napi ünnepséget. A gyerekek sajátkezűleg készítenek rajzot, hajtogatnak virágot, vagy bármilyen egyszerűen elkészíthető kézműves ajándékot az édesanyjuknak. Ezeket versszavalás, ének kiséretében az anyák napi ünnepélyen adják át az anyukáknak. Ilyenkor a virágárusok nagy örömére a felnőttek is egy szál, vagy egy egész csokor virággal kedveskednek az anyukáknak, nagymamáknak és dédmamáknak.

Magyarországon az Anyák napi ünnepségek elképzelhetetlenek a május virága, az orgona nélkül. A botanikusok szerint az orgona az áhítatot jelképezi páratlan szépségével, friss és üde illatával, ezért az évek során méltó díszévé vált az ünnepnek. Az anyák napi köszöntő dalokban és versekben is sokszor megénekelték az orgonát, mint az Anyák napja virágát.

2013-ban egy babaápolási termékeket gyártó cég azzal lepte meg a szerencsés édesanyákat, hogy családjukat lefényképezte és személyes üzenet kíséretében, egy óriásplakáton megjelenítette. Természetesen az édesanyák nem tudtak erről az akciórol. Nagy volt a meglepetés, amikor meglátták a szeretteiket a hatalmas fényképen, amint boldog anyák napját kívánnak nekik.

—

In May, all schools and kindergartens organize a smaller Mother’s Day celebration. Children draw, make paper flowers with their own hands, or any easy-to-make artisan present for their mums. During the Mother’s Day celebration itself, they can give presents to their mothers while saying poems and singing songs. To make florists also happy, adults buy a flower or a bunch of flowers for their mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers.

In Hungary, there is no Mother’s Day celebration without the Flower of May: the lilac. Botanists say that the lilac symbolizes devotion with its special beauty and fresh, peachy aroma, so over time, it has become a worthy element of this festivity. Lilac, as the flower of Mother’s Day, is also a common theme of songs and poems written for this occasion.

In 2013, a company that makes baby care products surprised lucky mothers by taking pictures of their families. They put these pictures on giant posters with personal messages on them. Of course, the chosen mothers knew nothing about this occurrence. It was a big surprise when they saw the huge pictures on the street, on which their loved ones wished them a happy Mother’s Day.

4. Additional Information: Patron Saint

When it comes to Mother’s Day, Hungary even has a patron saint who may be attributed (at least partially) with its desire to celebrate mothers.

Do you know who the patron saint of Hungary is?
The patron saint of Hungary is the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary. Even the first Hungarian Mother’s Day in 1925 was in connection with the old cult of Mary in May.

5. Must-know Vocab

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Mother’s Day in Hungary!

• Vasárnap — “Sunday”
• Fia — “son”
• Lánya — “daughter”
• Nagymama — “grandmother”
• Anya — “mother”
• Csokoládé — “chocolate“
• Vacsora — “dinner“
• Rózsa — “rose”
• Szeret — “love”
• Ajándék — “present”
• Anyák napja — “Mother’s Day”
• Üdvözlőkártya — “greeting card”
• Ünnepel — “celebrate”
• ágyban reggeli — “breakfast in bed”
• Ajándékutalvány — “gift certificate”
• Szülő — “parent”

To hear the pronunciation of each Hungarian Mother’s Day vocabulary word, check out our relevant vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed learning about how Hungarians celebrate Mother’s Day. Are Mother’s Day celebrations and traditions similar in your own country, or different? Let us know in the comments!

To learn more about Hungarian culture and the language, visit us at HungarianPod101.com. We provide our students with insightful blog posts on numerous topics, free vocabulary lists for a fuller word knowledge, and an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow Hungarian learners! By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program and learn Hungarian one-on-one with your own personal teacher.

Wherever you are on your language-learning journey, and wherever you want to be, know that your hard work will pay off! You’ll be speaking Hungarian like a native before you know it. And HungarianPod101.com will be here with all the study materials and support you need to get there!

Until next time, Happy Mother’s Day!

Watching TV shows is a great way to learn a language, and Hungarian is no exception. For some people, it’s rather hard to find the motivation to sit down at a desk and open a language book. If you happen to be one of them, you’re going to love this article. We’re presenting you with the best Hungarian TV shows to help you study the language in a highly efficient way, without feeling like you’re actually studying. Sometimes tricking your brain is the way to go.

With the help of Hungarian TV series, you’ll be able to pick up slang words and detect any slang that’s being used in a conversation when you’re visiting Hungary. Of course, it depends on the kind of show you’re watching, but most of them use shortened language (slang), i.e. how people of a given nation actually use their language in their daily lives.

For this reason, it might be a bit challenging to improve your Hungarian by watching TV shows as you might come across words that aren’t in the dictionary. Instead, in such cases, you’ll have to rely on your instincts and try to master “reading from context” so that when you guess what the characters are saying, you actually succeed. We’re not going to lie: it takes practice. But the good thing is that practice here means watching Hungarian TV channels.

Watching TV shows of a given language is not only helpful for learning new phrases and vocabulary, but also for picking up expressions. For example, you can easily start to detect how Hungarians use body language and facial expressions when speaking. Do you see any gestures they’re often making when they say a certain sentence? Do they get angry or happy if they hear a given word or phrase? Do they articulate much or murmur under their nose? How does their face change when they say specific words or phrases? You can learn so much by watching Hungarian TV!

Okay, okay, but what are the best TV shows to learn Hungarian? Well, we’ve got you covered. We’ll introduce you to ten of the best Hungarian TV shows, and will even tell you how to stream Hungarian TV (legally, of course).

We hope you’re ready to study the fun way. Take a look at what we have for you and decide which show interests you the most.

Table of Contents

1. Animations
2. Sitcoms / Dramas
3. Talk / Reality Shows
4. HungarianPod101.com Gives You the Best Ideas to Make Studying Fun

1. Animations

Show #1: Mézga család (The Mézgas) — 1968

If you’re interested in old Hungarian TV shows, this is definitely worth a watch!

This show follows the Mézga family. Their thirteen-year-old boy, Aladár, is a genius. He creates gadgets and machines that make even time travel and travel through space possible. His family, however, often gets into trouble because they don’t know how to use these machines properly. Thus, Aladár always has to save his family.

His best friend and constant companion on his journeys is his dog, Blöki. Other members of the family include his stubborn and strict father, Géza Mézga, who doesn’t really approve of Aladár’s machines. His mother, born Paula Rezovits, often faints on their exciting journeys due to her poor nervous system. Aladár often fights with his not-so-bright sister, Kriszta, who has a pet cat named Maffia.

The story is built around these six characters and their spectacular journeys, though some episodes feature their angry neighbor, Máris. It also features, in speech only, Pisti Hufnágel, who used to be one of Paula’s past lovers. She often voices her regret of not marrying him instead of Géza.

This is one of the best Hungarian TV shows, though it’s not aired anymore. For this reason, you can only stream it; you can’t catch an episode of Mézga család if you’re watching Hungarian satellite TV. Since this Hungarian series is rather old, you’ll find that the slang the characters use is a bit outdated. This can be both a positive and negative aspect of watching this show.

Through watching this series, you won’t learn lots of slang, but rather the usual way that Hungarian works. Also, given its time of creation, you’ll probably be able to understand the speakers better, as the characters don’t speak as fast as people do these days.

Recurring Sentences in the Show

• Anya, szólj rá!
  “Mom, rebuke him.”

Kriszta says this when Aladár is annoying her.

• Miért nem a Hufnágel Pistihez mentem feleségül?
  “Why didn’t I marry Pisti Hufnágel?”

This sentence leaves Paula’s mouth in every episode. In the Hungarian version, the a (meaning “the” ) before the name Hufnágel Pisti is grammatically incorrect. You’re not supposed to say “the” before names, but that’s how people do it in Budapest and the surrounding areas, as well as in some Transdanubian places.

Show #2: A nagy ho-ho-horgász (The Great Fisherman) — 1982

The persevering fisherman (horgász) and his best friend, Chief Worm (Főkukac), are the main characters of one of the best Hungarian TV series. There’s nothing better than sitting at the breezy waterside on hot summer days. Our protagonist does the same and, in the meantime, gets himself involved in unexpected adventures.

For him, it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter. On cold days, he fishes from rooftops and chimneys, and out of bathtubs, aquariums, and even fountains. Nothing stops him and his little friend from having a good time fishing.

You can expect the same kind of language exposure from this show as you can from Mézga család. It’s an old cartoon, but one of the best Hungarian children’s TV shows.

Recurring Sentences in the Show

• Én fogtam ki a világ legjobb szívű halacskáját! Ez is világcsúcs!
  “I got to fish a little fish with the biggest heart. This is a world record, too.”
• Megőrülök! Ez még a maradék halat is elriasztja! Ilyen tehetségtelen csalival kell nekem horgásznom!
  “I’m going crazy. He scares away even the remaining fishes. And I have to work with such untalented bait.”

2. Sitcoms / Dramas

If you want to watch Hungarian drama online, RTL Most and TV2.hu are going to be your best friends. These are the sites to check out even if you want to watch free Hungarian live TV online. Your favorite Hungarian television shows are only a few clicks away.

Show #3: Jóban rosszban (In Good and Bad) — 2005

The story of this Hungarian TV show is set in Csillagkút, a village not far from the capital of Hungary, Budapest. Life in this little village suddenly becomes quite lively after everyone starts talking about the Csillagvirág Clinic and its mysterious director, Péter Pongrácz (played by Tibor Gazdag, a great Hungarian actor and composer in real life). All that the residents of the village know about him is that he left his perfect life in the USA behind to come home to Hungary and open a private clinic in Csillagkút.

Everybody is happy that the old castle has been transformed into a new hospital…well, almost everybody. Előd Várnagy had different intentions for the castle, but Péter beat him to it.

Love stories, cheating, betrayals: these are all parts of everyday life at the Csillagvirág Clinic. Although the characters are willing to betray and even kill each other—and they do—some of them are willing to support one another…in good and bad.

By watching this series, you’ll be exposed to all kinds of language. You’ll encounter healthcare terminology as well as everyday expressions, including day-to-day conversations and slang. Thus, this is the perfect Hungarian TV series for you if you love drama and are open to learning Hungarian in a fun way.

Important Sentences in the Show

• Egyet jegyezz meg! A szerelem elmúlik… de a férfiak ostobasága soha!
  “Remember one thing. Love fades away…but the stupidity of men never does.”
• A kudarc kell. A siker elkényelmesít, de a kudarc megtanít megbocsátani, és megmutatja, hogy kik és mennyire fontosak az életünkben.
  “Failure is needed. Success makes you too comfortable, but failure teaches you to forgive and shows you who the important people in your lives are, and how much.”

Show #4: Barátok közt (Amongst Friends) — 1998

This one is an oldie but a goldie, and is a must-watch for Hungarian learners who want to experience popular Hungarian TV shows.

The main characters of this Hungarian TV show are the members of the Berényi family. This show has been following their everyday lives, and that of those living around them, for more than twenty years now.

The story starts with a bunch of kids who become really good friends. Later on in their lives, they end up living in the same block of flats, which is something they never would have thought. Their aim is to create modern mansions and a good community in the building where they first met as children. However, betrayals, hook-ups, and other surprising events make this seem like a rather hard thing to do.

This Hungarian TV show is perfect for you if you love drama, complicated relationships, and excitement.

In some cases, you can access the episodes on Hungarian TV channels online. Barátok közt is one of them. Just go to RTL Most (RTL Now) and you can stream all 20+ years’ worth of Barátok közt episodes right away.

Popular Quotes from the Series

• Az emlékek megszépítik a múltat.
  “Memories make the past seem more beautiful.”
• Nincs szeretet elfogadás nélkül.
  “There is no love without acceptance.”
• Akár aggódsz, akár nem, az a dolgokon nem változtat.
  “Whether you worry or not, that does not change things.”
• Egy férfinak minden helyzetben kell, hogy legyen terve.
  “A man must have a plan in all situations.”
• A szerelem vak, és ez csak addig közhely, amíg a saját bőrünkön nem tapasztaljuk meg.
  “Love is blind and it is a cliché only until you experience it on your own skin.”

Which quote is your favorite?

Show #5: Válótársak (Divorce Buddies) — 2015

Bálint, Dávid, and Joci are best friends. Not only do they live together in their mancrib, but all three of them are going through a divorce. The show follows their lives through this process.

Bálint has cheated on his wife, Zsófi, so she files for divorce. Bálint is trying to get Zsófi back and ruin her forming relationship with his brother. However, Bálint can’t restrain himself and keeps cheating on Zsófi with other women.

Dávid, a rich entrepreneur, has been dumped after six years of marriage because his wife, Tamara, found him boring. Dávid gets a heart attack because of this, and he soon falls in love with his doctor, Dalma. While trying to win Dalma over, he’s in constant war with his ex. However, the stricter and harsher Dávid is with Tamara, the more she finds him interesting and wants him back.

Joci and Szonja have been trying to have a child for ages, but couldn’t succeed. As soon as they decide to break up, Szonja gets pregnant with twins. Joci is trying to escape the father role, so he even hires a lawyer, Leonóra, whom he soon starts to date and build a new relationship with. But Szonja isn’t going to let the love of her life be anybody else’s.

This is definitely one of those Hungarian TV programs that you can’t miss if you want to have a good laugh. It’s quite popular in Hungary, largely due to the fact that one of the main characters, Bálint, is played by the famous Hungarian actor András Stohl.

Regarding the language of the show, you might want to be careful, as this series is explicit and features intercourse and similar 18+ (or 16+) content. So, there you have it: if you want to learn Hungarian curse words and slang while having heaps of laughter, this is definitely the show to watch.

Famous Quote from the Show

• Csak az első hiba számít, a többi az következmény.
  “Only the first mistake matters. The rest is the consequences.”

Show #6: Jófiúk (Good Boys) — 2019

This comedy is one of the newer TV shows in Hungarian and is a big hit nowadays in Hungary, alongside Válótársak.

Jófiúkis is a Hungarian TV series about a group of clumsy policemen who cause more problems than they solve. Gyula, a very unmotivated policeman, and his team are mistakenly relocated to the most ructious part of the city. On their first day, the team has already had to deal with a dead body, meanwhile Gyula and his family struggle with the new neighborhood.

This series is also explicit, but very funny at the same time. So, the same “rules” apply to this one as to Válótársak. If you want to have a good laugh and study Hungarian slang, you might want to consider watching this Hungarian TV show.

Famous Quote from the Show

• Szolgálunk és védünk.
  “We serve and protect.”

This is the slogan of the Hungarian police.

Show #7: A tanár (The Teacher) — 2018

This series gives an inside view of the lives of high-schoolers and their community. The episodes feature social issues such as adoption, search for identity, and rivalry amongst students. Each episode introduces the life of a student and their problems.

The main character is Szilárd, a chemistry, physics, and P.E. teacher (played by Ervin Nagy, who is rather famous in Hungary and also appears in theater plays). He tries to help the children in the school in his own way, which often puts a humorous spin on the show.

This series is worth watching for its interpretation of social issues and their take on them. The channel that airs this Hungarian TV show is RTL Klub, so if you’re interested in it, and you’re all for streaming Hungarian TV, you can easily watch this series on RTL Most.

Preparing for a Hungarian language exam is really no different than preparing for any other language exam. However, in the case of Hungarian, you might want to pay special attention to spelling, as the way Hungarians write and pronounce words differs greatly at times. Therefore, you might want to do as many mock tests regarding Hungarian grammar as you can. And we think A tanár is a great way to experience this first-hand.

Famous Quote from the Show

• Isten hozott a birodalmamban.
  “Welcome to my empire.”

This is the first sentence, with which the main character, Szilárd, greets his students.

Show #8: 200 első randi (200 First Dates) — 2018

This is one of the best TV series for learning Hungarian.

It’s a witty, funny, and emotional story that follows the everyday life of a thirty-year-old woman, Luca, who’s a bit clumsy and disorganized.

Her sister’s engagement came as a great surprise to this single lady, and their mother makes bitter remarks on the fact that her sister will marry sooner than Luca, and that she’ll probably go to the wedding without a partner. Because of this, Luca swears that she will find The One in 200 days, meanwhile trying to live up to the expectations of her boss at work. Whether she succeeds and love finds her or not, and whether she manages to find herself, will be revealed in the sixty episodes that this Hungarian TV series has.

You’ve found the perfect show to watch if you fancy a good love story, and if you feel like you can relate to the main character. The dialogue is composed in a witty and funny way, so you won’t be bored for a second.

This series reflects on everyday Hungarian life, so you will find some slang in the show—but not teenagers’ slang. The pace of speech might be a bit too fast for beginners, but practice makes perfect. If you don’t hear something clearly, just rewind the episode a bit. This is one of the best aspects of watching Hungarian TV shows online!

Famous Quotes from the Show

• Ahogy a nagymamám mondta, a dolgok legyenek áttekinthetőek, a csoki pedig jó tömény.
  “As my grandma used to say, things must be clear and chocolate high in cocoa.”
• Mindig a jók mennek el… meg Félix.
  “Always the good ones go away…and Félix.”

3. Talk / Reality Shows

Show #9: Heti Hetes — 1999

This Hungarian TV show is different from the ones we’ve gone over so far. This almost works like a talk show, and it used to be aired once a week on Sundays (up until 2016). Seven people got together and talked about social issues, everyday life, the news, etc. It was very amusing as every guest was able to give their own perspective and take on the topic.

You’re not very likely to come across any slang—or maybe just a few slang words—in this series, as the guests are mainly middle-aged or elderly. The pace of speech, therefore, is normal, not usually too rushed. We have to admit, though, that you’re most likely to enjoy this show if you know more about Hungarian culture and news, as the topics are linked to current issues in the country.

This Show’s Theme Song

• Politika, botrány, bulvár, pletyka, sztárhegyek. Ez a Heti Hetes, a feketeleves.
  “Politics, scandals, tabloids, gossip, mountains of celebrities. This is Heti Hetes, the black soup.”

This used to be the theme song of the show. “Black soup” in Hungarian refers to something unexpected and unpleasant. This reflects the controversial nature of the show, as the guests aren’t afraid to convey their real opinions, even if those opinions aren’t in favor of the government, for example.

Show #10: Való Világ (Real World) — 2002

Való Világ is one of the most-watched Hungarian reality TV shows.

There are thirty-six candidates, selected by a jury based on homemade videos, who will compete with each other to win over the viewers who can get them into the villa by a call or an SMS. Every day, there are three candidates at a time, and only one of them can get in. Once they’re all in the villa, the voting begins to eliminate each of them until there’s only one left inside—the winner.

There have been nine seasons so far, with a new season coming out roughly every two years. In each of the seasons, there’s always something new.

You’re going to love this Hungarian TV show if you’re all for reality shows. As all realities, this one is vulgar and explicit. In this type of show, the only thing you’ll hear are super-easy and short sentences—the very basic everyday Hungarian dialect, swear words, and slang.

However, you might want to double-check every expression before memorizing it, because the people in these shows are usually not the brightest and they often make grammar mistakes or simply use phrases or words the wrong way. This may be a good test for more advanced Hungarian learners, to see if you can spot the mistakes the candidates are making.

Important Quote from the Show

• Itt a lét a tét.
  “Here ‘being’ is the stake.”

This is the motto of the reality show.

4. HungarianPod101.com Gives You the Best Ideas to Make Studying Fun

Wow, it was just like reading a Hungarian TV guide, right? Did we miss any good Hungarian shows you know about? If so, leave us a comment below and share your knowledge with fellow Hungarian learners!

Now that you’re familiar with the best TV shows to learn Hungarian, the major Hungarian TV stations, and how to watch Hungarian TV online… We wonder if there’s anything left to teach you.

You know now that RTL Most and TV2.hu are the best places for streaming Hungarian TV. All you need to take into consideration at this point are what genre you’re looking for, what you want to achieve or learn, and your current level of Hungarian. And you’re all set for a fun way of learning a challenging language.

With HungarianPod101, the learning never stops! There’s always something we can present to you or help you learn, we promise. Sign up, and become a part of our family.

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Hungarian could be just what you need to find it.

Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Hungarian partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At HungarianPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Hungarian lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make Hungarian dating easy for you.

Table of Contents

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
4. Hungarian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
5. Hungarian Quotes about Love
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
8. Will Falling in Love Help You Learn Hungarian Faster?

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date

So, you have met your Hungarian love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the Hungarian word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these Hungarian date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.

Would you like to go out to dinner with me?

• Velem vacsoráznál?

The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in Hungarian is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!

Are you free this weekend?

• Ráérsz ezen a hétvégén?

This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!

Would you like to hang out with me?

• Szeretnél együtt lógni velem?

You like her/him, but you’re not sure if there’s chemistry. Ask them to hang out first to see if a dinner date is next.

What time shall we meet tomorrow?

• Hány órakor találkozzunk holnap?

Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.

Where shall we meet?

• Hol találkozzunk?

You can ask this, but also suggest a place.

You look great.

• Remekül nézel ki.

A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit – they probably took great care to look their best just for you.

You are so cute.

• Annyira aranyos vagy.

If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.

What do you think of this place?

• Mit gondolsz erről a helyről?

This another good conversation starter. Show off your Hungarian language skills!

Can I see you again?

• Láthatlak újra?

So the date went really well – don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.

Shall we go somewhere else?

• Menjünk máshova?

If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!

I know a good place.

• Tudok egy jó helyet.

Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!

I will drive you home.

• Hazaviszlek kocsival.

If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.

That was a great evening.

• Nagyszerű este volt.

This is a good phrase to end the evening with.

When can I see you again?

• Mikor láthatlak újra?

If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.

I’ll call you.

• Majd hívlak.

Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.

Sneak Peek! Log in to Download this Cheat Sheet!

2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date

You learned all the Hungarian phrases to make a date – congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in Hungarian below!

museum

• múzeum

If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.

candlelit dinner

• gyertyafényes vacsora

A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!

go to the zoo

• állatkertbe megy

This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children – you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!

go for a long walk

• egy hosszú sétára megy

Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.

go to the opera

• operába megy

This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!

go to the aquarium

• akváriumba megy

Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.

walk on the beach

• séta a tengerparton

This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.

have a picnic

• piknikezik

If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.

cook a meal together

• közösen egy ételt főz

If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!

have dinner and see a movie

• vacsorázik és megnéz egy filmet

This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!

3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in Hungarian – think how impressed your date will be!

4. Hungarian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day

So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in Hungarian yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in Hungarian? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your Hungarian love on this special day!

You mean so much to me.

• Olyan sokat jelentesz nekem.

This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.

Will you be my Valentine?

• Velem töltenéd a Valentin napot?

With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!

You’re so beautiful.

• Olyan szép vagy.

If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in Hungarian, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!

I think of you as more than a friend.

• Többnek tartalak egy barátnál.

Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the Hungarian dating culture.

A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

• Irántad érzett szerelmem oly erős, hogy száz szív sem tudná magában hordozni.

You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.

Love is just love. It can never be explained.

• A szerelem egyszerűen csak szerelem. Ez egy leírhatatlan érzés.

If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.

You’re so handsome.

• Olyan helyes vagy.

Ladies, this phrase lets your Hungarian love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.

I’ve got a crush on you.

• Teljesen beléd vagyok esve.

If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.

You make me want to be a better man.

• Te érted akarok jobb emberré válni.

Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your Hungarian girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!

Let all that you do be done in love.

• Minden tetteteket a szeretet vezérelje.

We hope.

You are my sunshine, my love.

• Te vagy a napsugaram, a szerelmem.

A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!

Words can’t describe my love for you.

• Szavakkal nem lehet leírni irántad érzett szerelmemet.

Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.

We were meant to be together.

• Mi egymásnak lettünk teremtve.

This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.

If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.

• Ha ezt olvasva gondolsz valakire, akkor minden bizonnyal szerelmes vagy.

Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!

I love you.

• Szeretlek.

Saying ‘I love you’ in Hungarian carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.

5. Hungarian Quotes about Love

You’re a love champ! You and your Hungarian lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in Hungarian that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.

6. Marriage Proposal Lines

Wow. Your Hungarian lover is indeed the love of your life – congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the Hungarian custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.

7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines

Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.

We need to talk.

• Beszélnünk kell.

This is not really a break-up line, but it is a good conversation opener with a serious tone.

It’s not you. It’s me.

• Nem te vagy az oka, hanem én.

As long as you mean it, this can be a kind thing to say. It means that there’s nothing wrong with your Hungarian lover as a person, but that you need something different from a relationship.

I’m just not ready for this kind of relationship.

• Egyszerűen csak nem állok készen egy ilyen kapcsolatra.

Things moved a bit fast and got too intense, too soon? Painful as it is, honesty is often the best way to break up with somebody.

Let’s just be friends.

• Legyünk csak barátok.

If the relationship was very intense, and you have sent many ‘i love u’ texts in Hungarian, this would not be a good breakup line. Feelings need to calm down before you can be friends, if ever. If the relationship has not really developed yet, a friendship would be possible.

I think we need a break.

• Szerintem tartsunk egy kis szünetet.

This is again honest, and to the point. No need to play with someone’s emotions by not letting them know how you feel. However, this could imply that you may fall in love with him/her again after a period of time, so use with discretion.

You deserve better.

• Te jobbat érdemelsz.

Yes, he/she probably deserves a better relationship if your own feelings have cooled down.

I need my space.

• Szükségem van saját térre.

When a person is too clingy or demanding, this would be an suitable break-up phrase. It is another good go-to for that lover who doesn’t get the message!

I think we’re moving too fast.

• Ez nekem túl gyors.

Say this if you want to keep the relationship, but need to slow down its progress a bit. It is also good if you feel things are getting too intense for your liking. However, it is not really a break-up line, so be careful not to mislead.

I need to focus on my career.

• Összpontosítanom kell a karrieremre.

If you feel that you will not be able to give 100% in a relationship due to career demands, this is the phrase to use. It’s also good if you are unwilling to give up your career for a relationship.

I’m not good enough for you.

• Nem vagyok elég jó neked.

Say this only if you really believe it, or you’ll end up sounding false. Break-ups are usually hard for the receiving party, so don’t insult him/her with an insincere comment.

I just don’t love you anymore.

• Egyszerűen csak nem szeretlek már.

This harsh line is sometimes the best one to use if you are struggling to get through to a stubborn, clingy lover who won’t accept your break up. Use it as a last resort. Then switch your phone off and block their emails!

We’re just not right for each other.

• Egyszerűen csak nem illünk egymáshoz.

If this is how you truly feel, you need to say it. Be kind, gentle and polite.

It’s for the best.

• Így lesz a legjobb.

This phrase is called for if circumstances are difficult and the relationship is not progressing well. Love should enhance one’s life, not burden it!

We’ve grown apart.

• Elhidegültünk egymástól.

Cross-cultural relationships are often long-distance ones, and it is easy to grow apart over time.

We should start seeing other people.

• Más embereket is meg kellene ismernünk.

This is probably the least gentle break-up phrase, so reserve it for a lover that doesn’t get the message!

8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn Hungarian faster?

Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer – of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. HungarianPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the Hungarian language.

Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn Hungarian Faster!

1- Being in a love relationship with your Hungarian speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
HungarianPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you Hungarian, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn Hungarian even faster.

2- Having your Hungarian romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced Hungarian language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies – a win/win situation!

3- A supportive Hungarian lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your Hungarian partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!

Three Reasons Why HungarianPod101 helps you learn Hungarian Even Faster when you’re In Love

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking Hungarian is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at HungarianPod101 is translated into both English and Hungarian. So, while your partner can help you learn Hungarian faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!

2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with Hungarian Culture
At HungarianPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in Hungary. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your Hungarian partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!

3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic Hungarian Phrases
You now have access to HungarianPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your Hungarian soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly – remember to invite him/her to your wedding!

Whether you’re just visiting the country or you’re planning to stay a bit longer, learning how to say hello in Hungarian will definitely improve your first impression! And we at the HungarianPod101.com family believe in the power of first impressions! Did you know it’s made in less than five seconds? That’s exactly how long it takes to say a proper greeting! Don’t worry though; this How to Say Hello in Hungarian guide will definitely help you out on your journey ahead!

How to say hello in Hungarian is one of the first things that students learn when they start learning Hungarian. This most basic greeting is very important in every country and culture. The HungarianPod101 family is here to teach you how to say hello in Hungarian, along with other greetings. If you’re interested in hearing the pronunciation of hello in Hungarian, you can check out our collection at HungarianPod101.com, which includes hello in Hungarian audio!

If you’re still struggling with the confusing Hungarian letters and sounds, here you can learn the whole Hungarian alphabet in just two minutes!

In this article, you’ll learn the basic word for “hello,” in Hungarian, including how to write hello in Hungarian and the most commonly used hello in Hungarian slang.

In European cultures, people tend to pay a lot of attention to proper greetings. The amount of respect you show while greeting someone is going to tell a great deal about your manners in Hungary. And trust us, there’s no better way to charm someone than to master greetings in Hungarian! Are you up for the task?

Table of Contents

1. Hello in Hungarian (Formal)
2. Informal Greetings
3. Useful Second Thoughts
4. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Master Hungarian

1. Hello in Hungarian (Formal)

How you say hello in Hungarian largely depends on who you’re talking to, and where.

As we mentioned above, Hungarian can be a very formal language, especially when you have to face someone in a work environment, someone older than you, or someone in a higher rank than you. People also start with formal greetings if they don’t know each other yet. “How do I say hello in Hungarian then?” you may ask. But don’t worry; we’re revealing the secret right now!

Similarly to other European languages, the greetings will vary based on which part of the day it is. How do you say “Hello, good morning,” in Hungarian? How about “good afternoon” in Hungarian? These time-based phrases are very important ways to say hello in the Hungarian language. Here are the most common ways to say hello in Hungarian for each time of day:

• “Good morning!” = Jó reggelt kívánok!
• “Good day!” = Jó napot kívánok!
• “Good evening!” = Jó estét kívánok!
• “Good night!” = Jó éjszakát kívánok!
• “Kiss on your hands.” = Kezét csókolom! or Kezit csókolom!
• “Goodbye!” (Until the next time we see each other.) = Viszontlátásra! or Viszlát!

Kezét csókolom! or Kezit csókolom! is an old-fashioned way to greet older ladies in Hungarian culture. It’s a very polite, very well-mannered way of greeting someone. You should use this phrase in situations when, for example, you greet an elderly woman at the local market. It literally means “to kiss one’s hand.” For context, this old expression was used long ago when men still greeted ladies with hand-kisses. Just say this to an older lady at the local market, and she’ll grow fond of you immediately.

Did you notice the common endings of kívánok? It literally means “I wish you.” Using this is going to make you sound amazingly polite and thorough, but you can also use these expressions by skipping that part. This way, they’ll sound like this:

• “Good morning!” = Jó reggelt!
• “Good day!” = Jó napot!
• “Good evening!”= Jó estét!
• “Good night!” = Jó éjszakát! or Jó éjt!

These forms are also correct! Please note that saying “good morning” and “good night” is also very common among friends, families, or spouses, not only in official environments. Therefore, whenever you wake up and meet someone for the first time that day, say Jó reggelt! Preferably, you’ll use this phrase before four o’clock in the afternoon, although if you say “good morning” at four, it will clearly indicate that you just woke up and is therefore also correct. (But only say good morning that late to your friends, family, or spouse, otherwise people will think you’re silly.)

The same way, you can use the expressions Jó éjt! or Jó éjszakát! as the proper ways of saying goodbye at a late hour. You might consider using these phrases:

• Whenever you say goodbye to your friends after drinking a fröccs.
• At the end of a night-long phone call with your Hungarian significant other.
• When you’re going to sleep with your Hungarian spouse.

2. Informal Greetings

Now, let’s look at how to say an informal hello in Hungarian.

Hungarians can be very friendly, and among friends, family, and lovers, you have to use the informal language. Please note that if you meet your Hungarian spouse’s family for the first time, it shows a higher manner to speak formally until they offer you to speak informally. Don’t start with a casual hello!

But if you’re just around friends (for example, at a party, get-together, or bumping into each other on the street), here’s how to say hello in Hungarian language:

• “Hi/Hello/Bye” = Szia!
• “Hi guys/Bye guys” [Plural] = Sziasztok!

How to say hello in Hungarian is very easy and simple when you’re doing so in an informal environment. Szia! sounds almost exactly like Seeya’, just with a silent y, so more like a See-a’. Note that the second phrase is a way to say “Hello, everyone,” in Hungarian.

This is how you say both hello and goodbye in Hungarian to your friends, schoolmates, family, and spouse. Additionally, you can use Jó reggelt! and Jó éjt! as we mentioned in the previous section.

We highly suggest that you listen to many audio lessons and videos in Hungarian to get the pronunciation right. It’s one of the most difficult aspects of the language, so we think it’s worth putting more attention into.

3. Useful Second Thoughts

And last, but not least, after you say hello in Hungarian, you also need to introduce yourself. We collected a few essentials for you to begin strengthening that great first impression you just made on the person you’re talking to. Now it’s time to move forward!

There are many ways to say “Nice to meet you!” in Hungarian:

• Örülök, hogy megismertem!
  “I’m pleased to meet you.” [Formal]
• Örülök, hogy megismertelek!
  “I’m pleased to meet you.” [Informal]
• Örvendek!
  “I’m happy.” [Formal & Short.] This is commonly used.
• Örülök!
  “I’m happy.” [Informal & Short.] This is not used commonly.

And here are the essentials for self-introductions:

• Én [name] vagyok.
  “I am [name].”
  Én is the pronoun for “I.”
  You can use this as a way of saying “Hello, my name is,” in Hungarian.
• Hogy hívják?
  “What’s your name?” [Formal]
• Hogy hívnak?
  “What’s your name?” [Informal]
• Hogy van?
  “How are you?” [Formal]
• Hogy vagy?
  “How are you?” [Informal]

If you would like to master your introduction and go deeper into the topic, check out our self-introduction video on our YouTube channel! You can find several videos on Hungarian grammar and useful phrases, so feel free to check out other videos as well! We’ve prepared for you some two- to three-minute-long ones, as well as some that are eight hours long (so that you can listen to our lessons while you’re sleeping)! How amazing is that!

If you’re interested in learning beginner daily conversations in Hungarian, you can find a lot of materials on our website to dig deeper. We hope that you’ll master this beautiful language and share our interest in language-learning!

4. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Master Hungarian

By now you should have a better idea of how to say hello in the Hungarian language. After all, how difficult does it seem to say hello in Hungarian?

We really hope that we intrigued you into learning Hungarian, because it’s indeed one of the most difficult yet beautiful languages in the world. If you’re looking for a unique language to learn, Hungarian is definitely your thing! If you’re moving to the country for an exchange year, it’s also very useful to get familiar with a few basic expressions. Anyway, learning the basic greeting phrases is essential in mastering any language.

Do you know how to say hello in Hungarian now? What’s the difference between greeting an old lady at the local market and saying hello to your friends at school? Don’t forget to let us know in the comment section below!

Would you like to learn more about the Hungarian language? The HungarianPod101 family is always happy to help you out! We have tons of materials in every language, so if you’ve enjoyed your first Hungarian lessons, now you’re ready to continue! If you would like to extend your vocabulary, check out the 100 core Hungarian words or this list of the 10 most common conversational phrases in Hungarian!