Learn basic Hungarian phrases every beginner should know
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| Nem. |
| Bocsánat. |
| Szívesen. |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. |
| In this quick lesson, you’ll learn basic Hungarian phrases all beginners must know. |
| Before we start, did you know that in Hungarian, simply choosing how to say "you" can show how formal or friendly you are? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| Igen. |
| "yes" |
| [SLOW] Igen. |
| Igen. |
| Igen is one of the most often used words in Hungarian language. Also, linguists have no idea where the words originate from. It's a mystery! |
| Tom helps Oscar at an electronics store. |
| Oscar: Szereted ezt a márkát? |
| Tom: Igen, szerintem jó márka. |
| Nem. |
| "no" |
| [SLOW] Nem. |
| Nem. |
| For emphasis, we sometimes double it up! Nem-nem. |
| Jack mistakes Steve for a student. |
| Jack: Diák vagy itt? |
| Steve: Nem, nem vagyok diák. Csak látogatóban vagyok. |
| még egyszer |
| "one more time" |
| [SLOW] még egyszer |
| még egyszer |
| Feel free to use this phrase if you don't understand something when hearing it for the first time. |
| Lina asks Katalin for clarification. |
| Lina: Bocsánat, nem hallottam. Mondd még egyszer, kérlek! |
| Katalin: Rendben, persze. |
| lassan |
| "slowly" |
| [SLOW] lassan |
| lassan |
| Like a sloth on a weekend afternoon. |
| Susan needs clarification when asking Peter for directions. |
| Susan: Bocsánat, lassabban, kérlek. |
| Peter: Az első utcán fordulj balra, aztán jobbra. |
| Elnézést. |
| "Excuse me." |
| [SLOW] Elnézést. |
| Elnézést. |
| The perfect opening sentence to ask for directions. Or for getting off the bus. “Elnézést!” |
| Jack expresses interest in an item at a store. |
| Jack: Elnézést, ez mennyibe kerül? |
| Tom: 2000 forint. Ajánlom. |
| Bocsánat. |
| "I'm sorry." |
| [SLOW] Bocsánat. |
| Bocsánat. |
| It is a very useful word. But it only works if it is honest! |
| Steve apologizes to Oscar for a misunderstanding. |
| Steve: Bocsánat, tévedtem. |
| Oscar: Rendben van. Semmi gond. |
| Köszönöm. |
| "Thank you." |
| [SLOW] Köszönöm. |
| Köszönöm. |
| It is said that "thank you" is the most important word to learn in any language. Don't you agree? :-) |
| Susan thanks Lina for a party invite. |
| Susan: Nagyon köszönöm a meghívást. |
| Lina: Szívesen! Örülök, hogy el tudtál jönni. |
| Szívesen. |
| "You are welcome." |
| [SLOW] Szívesen. |
| Szívesen. |
| The core of this word, szívesen, is "szív", which means heart. So when you say szívesen, it means "with heart". |
| Noemi provides legal advice to Steve. |
| Steve: Nagyon köszönöm a segítséget! |
| Noemi: Szívesen! Örülök, hogy segíthettem. |
| Kérek. |
| "Please." |
| [SLOW] Kérek. |
| Kérek. |
| It's a magic phrase, making your wish come true. Also, it sounds very polite, doesn't it? |
| Jack asks Katalin for a drink. |
| Jack: Vizet kérek. |
| Katalin: Örömmel, parancsolj! |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Hungarian. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "yes"? |
| Igen. |
| Igen. |
| And how to say "no"? |
| Nem. |
| Nem. |
| How about "one more time"? |
| még egyszer |
| még egyszer |
| Do you remember how to say "slowly"? |
| lassan |
| lassan |
| And how to say "Excuse me."? |
| Elnézést. |
| Elnézést. |
| What about "I'm sorry."? |
| Bocsánat. |
| Bocsánat. |
| Do you remember how to say "Thank you."? |
| Köszönöm. |
| Köszönöm. |
| Let's try "You are welcome."! |
| Szívesen. |
| Szívesen. |
| What about "Please."? |
| Kérek. |
| Kérek. |
| Did you know that in Hungarian, simply choosing how to say "you" can show how formal or friendly you are? |
| In Hungarian, there are two main ways to say "you." Use "te" when talking to friends, family, or people you know well. It’s casual and friendly. But in formal situations, like speaking to a stranger or in a professional setting, you use "ön." It’s polite and respectful. Using "ön" also requires a different verb conjugation. |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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