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The 5 Best Hungarian Podcasts for Learning the Language

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Do you struggle with Hungarian listening exercises or just want to spice up your mundane study schedule? Then you should consider adding podcasts to your routine!

It’s common knowledge that learners of any language—not just Hungarian—find listening exercises rather difficult. Understanding locals, in particular, is quite the challenge because they tend to use slang and their pronunciation often differs from the perfect, precise pronunciation that study books teach you. An effective way to improve your listening comprehension skills is to listen a lot…this is where Hungarian podcasts come in.  

Not only will listening to podcasts in Hungarian help you practice your listening skills, but it’s also a different study method that’s not as boring as more traditional means of study. 

Below, we will list five of the best Hungarian podcasts out there. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or have been learning Hungarian for a while, there’s something here for you—as a matter of fact, the HungarianPod101 podcast is perfect for learners at every level. 

Shall we start? Let’s get going then!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hungarian Table of Contents
  1. Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Hungarian
  2. The Best Podcasts for Learning Hungarian
  3. Tricks to Help You Learn Hungarian More Effectively with Podcasts
  4. Keep Learning with the Top Hungarian Podcast: HungarianPod101

1. Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Hungarian

We already touched on a couple of benefits in the introduction, but in this section, we’re going to discuss them in more depth. 

You will get used to everyday Hungarian.

It depends on the type of Hungarian podcast, but most of them will give you the opportunity to hear everyday language (including slang). This will help you get familiar with certain terms so you won’t be surprised when visiting the country.

Your listening skills will improve.

By regularly hearing certain words in context, you’ll be better able to identify and understand those words correctly in real-life conversations. This is especially true if you listen to Hungarian podcasts that come with transcripts, as they can help you identify each word right off the bat—you’ll only need to focus on memorizing its pronunciation. 

    → The podcast lessons provided on HungarianPod101.com all come with their own transcripts. Check out our beginner listening exercises to see what we mean! 

You can expand your vocabulary. 

Listening to general Hungarian podcasts will introduce you to a wide variety of vocabulary on different topics, while listening to topic- or field-specific podcasts will help you pick up terminology related to your interests. The more Hungarian podcasts you listen to, the more your vocabulary is likely to improve over time. 

    → Another great way to learn new words? Themed vocabulary lists! See our free vocabulary lists on HungarianPod101.com and start picking up new words right away. 

Podcasts are free of charge.

Probably the biggest incentive to start incorporating Hungarian podcasts into your study schedule is that they’re completely free and accessible to everyone. You can even find Hungarian podcasts on Spotify, so there’s literally no reason why you can’t start listening right away.

Which of these reasons resonates most with you? Have you already experienced the benefits of learning Hungarian with podcasts? Let us know in the comments.

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2. The Best Podcasts for Learning Hungarian

Below is our list of the five best Hungarian-language podcasts. We’ve tried to create a collection that includes podcasts on different topics, so you’ll surely find something to your taste.

Podcast #1: Balázsék

This Hungarian news podcast is the most listened to in Hungary, not just because of its lively and humorous hosts but also because it’s broadcasted every weekday morning on the radio. You must be an advanced Hungarian learner in order to understand what they’re saying, as they use lots of slang and speak very fast. But once you understand what they’re talking about (news, culture, and recent issues in Hungary and around the world), you will laugh a lot listening to them.

If you’re interested, you could also find other Hungarian podcasts covering politics and the news.

Podcast #2: Lelkifröccs

Lelkifröccs is a Reformed Christian podcast that deals with everyday issues related to spiritual and church life in a light, accessible way. This unique Hungarian-language podcast is hosted by Péter Pál Czeglédi, a Reformed pastor from Dunaújváros. He covers a range of topics, from marriage to Satan. You will need to be an intermediate Hungarian learner for this one; the hosts do not speak that fast in the podcast, and the vocabulary used is not unusual. 

Podcast #3: Special Broadcasting System (SBS)

We recommend this Hungarian podcast for upper-intermediate learners who would like to listen to a podcast that covers anything and everything. SBS covers world events as well as issues and hot topics in Hungary. Besides news, they also talk about cultural matters such as music, literature, and many more.

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Podcast #4: Párnacsata

Párnacsata translates to “pillow fight,” which is a very accurate name for this Hungarian podcast. The hosts talk about very diverse topics, but they manage to stay within the boundaries of the lifestyle and fitness categories. Some of their episodes deal with moral dilemmas, how our phones control us, and healthy relationships. We recommend this podcast for intermediate Hungarian learners. 

Podcast #5: HungarianPod101

Finally, if you don’t want to go too far in your search for great Hungarian podcasts, you can find plenty of audio lessons you’ll love right here! The biggest advantage of HungarianPod101’s audio lessons is that we have listening exercises for Hungarian learners at every level, so you’ll most definitely find the audio files best suited to you.

    → You can get a taste of what we have to offer by checking out our free lessons!

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3. Tricks to Help You Learn Hungarian More Effectively with Podcasts

In this last section, we’ve listed some tricks and tips to help you make the most of studying with Hungarian podcasts. If you take our advice, nothing can stop you from thriving in your Hungarian listening exercises, and you’ll be able to easily carry out a conversation with any local who comes your way.

Make sure you are someplace quiet.

While listening to podcasts is a great boredom-killer when commuting, it might not be the best idea when using them for language learning purposes. When you’re listening to a Hungarian-language podcast, make sure to filter out as much noise as possible so you can hear every word clearly.

Try to search for Hungarian podcasts with transcripts.

This way, you can read the transcript before listening, follow along with the conversation, and even assess the conversation and what you managed to understand from it. You can also practice reading out loud once you have heard the pronunciation from the podcast.

Listen to different kinds of podcasts.

To broaden not only your vocabulary but also your vision, ideas, and opinions of the world, it is important to listen to different kinds of podcasts in Hungarian. For example, a good combination might include listening to a Hungarian news podcast, one about the economy, one about politics, and maybe a cooking or lifestyle podcast as well. Of course, there are also special podcasts for learning Hungarian—like the HungarianPod101 podcast!

Take notes.

Whether it’s something interesting you heard or a new word, it is good to take notes while listening to a Hungarian podcast. Later, you can run through your notes and review keywords, essential phrases, and maybe even facts about Hungarian culture and society. You never know when having these things stored in your memory will come in handy. 

Don’t hesitate to hit “replay.”

If you didn’t quite get something, don’t be afraid to hit that replay button. We’re all here to improve, and we know that practice makes perfect. Always keep trying! Replay the dialogue two or three times, and you’ll most certainly get it in the end.

    → You can listen to our audio files as many times as you want. If you’re ready to start, we recommend heading over to our beginner lessons!

Do you have any other tips? Please share them with us and with your fellow language learners in the comments.

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4. Keep Learning with the Top Hungarian Podcast: HungarianPod101

In this article, we have shown you some of the most popular Hungarian podcasts in a variety of categories and explained the benefits of using podcasts to learn Hungarian. To recap, you can expect: 

  • Improved listening skills 
  • A larger vocabulary
  • Free and accessible content

In addition, we shared some tips and tricks on how to learn Hungarian more effectively with podcasts. Remember what they were?

  • Listen someplace quiet
  • Use transcripts when available
  • Give yourself some variety
  • Take notes
  • Hit replay if you need to

If you would like access to tons of audio files, other study materials, and more informational blog posts on different topics, join the HungarianPod101 family. This is a great way to interact with fellow Hungarian learners and get help from real teachers whenever you need it. 

Which of the Hungarian-language podcasts sounds the most exciting to you? Let us know in the comments.

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How Long Does it Take to Learn Hungarian?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Factors That Will Affect Your Learning Progress 

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

Can you guess which category Hungarian belongs to?

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

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

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

Now, let’s dive a little deeper!

How Long Does it Take to Achieve Beginner Level?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • You’ll have memorized the Hungarian alphabet. 
  • You’ll know the pronunciation of each letter. 
  • You’ll know some key vocabulary and phrases for everyday interactions.
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How Long Does it Take to Achieve Intermediate Level?

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

At the intermediate level, you will…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How Long Does it Take to Achieve Advanced Level?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How HungarianPod101.com Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

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

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

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

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How to Learn Hungarian in Your Car?

How to Learn Hungarian in Your Car? Learn language in car

Stuck in traffic? Losing time in your car? Have you ever felt that in all this wasted time, you could have watched the 750 episodes of One Piece, finished the last Super Mario ten times, or even better…you could have learned Hungarian? Between family, friends and work, in addition to this time-consuming commute, it can become difficult to find time to properly learn Hungarian.

Fortunately, every problem has a solution, and what could be a better solution than turning that commute time into learning time? Stop passing the time mindlessly listening to the radio and try some of our best tips for mastering Hungarian in your car!

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You can learn Hungarian in your car, hands free
While driving, it’s important that you keep your focus on the road, so this is why our top tips won’t require you to use your hands!

Listening to Hungarian audio content in the car is a good way to learn
This is because it is a fun and efficient way to learn. With HungarianPod101.com podcasts, you will be able to discover Hungarian culture through topics about everyday life. Instead of the radio, listen to a Hungarian podcast adapted to your level, from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, and you will make progress sooner that you would expect!

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You can listen to Hungarian music in the car
Did you know that you can learn Hungarian by singing while driving? Listen to songs from cartoon or drama and try to identify some words you learned.

Challenge yourself! Use the Hungarian you’ve studied up to this point and see how much you understand! Making the jump to real-life Hungarian is a scary one, but friendly children’s songs are a great place to start!

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You can learn alone in your car
When you’re driving alone, you can be as loud as you want – there is nothing better for remembering your Hungarian lessons than repeating loudly, again and again. Next time you see a driver who seems to be talking alone, you will know he or she is just learning Hungarian!

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You can learn through repetition with your passengers
If there are passengers in the car, it can be more stimulating to learn together. You can set a role play with Hungarian dialogues. With HungarianPod101.com, you can download all the lessons transcript including the dialogues, as a PDF. Print it out and have some fun speaking in Hungarian!

One of the passengers can answer the quiz available on each of our lessons, while another can correct that person. Listening to someone at a more advanced level of Hungarian or a better accent is positive and helps you improve.

You can learn Hungarian offline
Do you have a poor connection or are unable to use the Internet? It’s not a problem for learning Hungarian! Before you start your commute, use our App to download the lessons you want to study and the podcast you want to listen to in your car, and you will be able to enjoy your lessons offline. Entering a tunnel won’t be a problem anymore. What a pleasure to listen to audio content without having the host freezing every 5 seconds!

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You can learn every day at your own pace
One of the best approaches for learning a language is little by little and often. It’s not efficient to take in a huge amount of information at one time. What you need is to study on a regular basis – a little bit of Hungarian every day. You commute several days a week, and that is all time you can take advantage of!

You have the freedom to choose the lessons and podcasts you want to focus on, at your own rhythm. You may want to do a little revision or discover how to talk about a new topic. And if you’re wondering what to learn next, you can use the new Learning Paths, which is our customized pathway feature that gives you a step-by-step way to learn Hungarian without getting lost!

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Click here to access Learning Paths at HungarianPod101!

If you don’t have a car and commute by another method, these tips are still valid! Learning Hungarian is no longer limited to the classroom or your house; there are so many benefits to learning in your car or elsewhere. Reaching a conversational level will take you less time than you could ever have imagined! Don’t forget to sign up for your Free Lifetime Account and enjoy our content!