How to learn Hungarian quickly?
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Those who have a personal connection to the Hungarian language or Hungary, who have a Hungarian spouse, grandparent or friend in the background, who aroused their interest in the country, language or culture, always come with the most serious enthusiasm. As an Erasmus student, you are already living and studying here, so the connection is given!
Good news: the word order of the Hungarian language is extremely free compared to English, which means that we can move the words here and there according to our wishes and according to the rules, thus adding colour to our own thoughts. It is only necessary to remember how many types of affixes, and suffixes there are, as well as in what order and in which way they are affixed to the word stem.
Some foreigners say speaking Hungarian is like playing Lego. There are bigger pieces and there are smaller ones. We put these together or take them apart, as you like or as you don't collapse the language castle. But we can also imagine that we are playing chess, where we step back and forth, move the chess pieces (words), and always put the message (text) in a new and new form for the playing partner.
It is no coincidence that Hungarian speakers are stronger in mathematics and chess, but also in understanding music (classical music), since our language teaches a logical system where "lyric is logic" – says Attila József, one of our biggest poet.
Some tips how to learn Hungarian language quickly!
1. Establish a steady study routine and know your why
2. Learn the alphabet
3. Learn the numbers
4. Prepare and start learning the 500 most frequent Hungarian words
5. Practice speaking – it’s time to get real
And don’t forget to take it as a playful, cheerful activity, like lego or chess!
How to say hello in Hungarian?
Learning greetings is necessary because it is the first requirement for making contact. By teaching greeting, we mean teaching the linguistic forms of greeting.
In addition to teaching the language forms, it is very important to explain the rules of etiquette for greeting and to observe them in daily practice. So, by practicing polite greetings, we shape greeting habits.
Hello: Szia!
Can be used as a casual greeting, and it can also be used to say "see ya" later. When saying goodbye to multiple people informally, you can use "sziasztok". For old people try to avoid from this greeting.
Morning Greeting: Jó Reggelt!
"Jó reggelt” is how you say "good morning". Polite greeting can be used to greet anyone.
During the day or in the afternoon Greeting: Jó Napot!
"Jó napot" literally translates to "good day" and can be used from mid-morning onwards. Polite greeting can be used to greet anyone.
Evening Greeting: Jó Estét!
"Jó estét” is how you say "good evening" in Hungarian. Similar to "jó reggelt" and "jó napot”. Polite greeting can be used to greet anyone.
Closing Your Conversation
When it comes to saying goodbye, you can use "viszlát" in both formal and informal settings.
However, just as "szia" can be used as a casual greeting, it can also be used to say "see ya" later.
A collection of useful Hungarian phrases.
Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).
English: Hungarian:
Welcome Üdvözlet
Hello Jó napot kívánok / Szervusz / Szia / Halló (on phone)
How are you? Hogy vagy? (inf) Hogy van? (frm)
I’m fine, thanks. And you? Köszönöm, jól. És Ön?
Long time no see Rég nem találkoztunk! Rég nem láttalak! (see) ,Rég nem hallottam rólad! (hear)
What’s your name? Mi a neve?
My name is … A nevem …
Where are you from? Hová valósi Ön?
I’m from … Én …ból/ből vagyok
Pleased to meet you Örvendek / Örülök, hogy megismertelek
Good morning Jó reggelt (kívánok)
Good afternoon Jó napot (kívánok)
Good evening Jó estét (kívánok)
Good night Jó éjszakát (kívánok)
Goodbye Szia / Viszlát (inf) Viszontlátásra (frm)
Let’s talk again another time Beszéljünk máskor is
Good luck Sok szerencsét kivánok!
Cheers/Good health! Kedves egészségére! Egészségedre! (sg) or Egészségetekre! (pl)
Have a nice day Szép napot!
Bon appetit Jó étvágyat!
Bon voyage Jó utat kívánok!
I don’t understand Nem értem.
Please speak more slowly Tudna lassabban beszélni? (frm) Tudnál lassabban beszélni? (inf)
Please say that again Megismételné?
Please write it down Írja le, kérem! Leírná, kérem?
Do you speak Hungarian? Beszél magyarul? (frm ) Beszélsz magyarul? (inf)
Yes, a little Igen, egy kicsit
How do you say …
in Hungarian? Hogyan mondjam magyarul … ?
Excuse me Elnézést!
Which useful Hungarian phrases did you learn? How is your language learning journey going? Share your favourite sentence in Hungarian language!
Nora, OLS Community Manager – Hungarian