100 Common Hungarian Phrases with Pronunciation for Tourists

Hungarian, or Magyar, is a unique language that belongs to the Finno-Ugric group and is quite distinct from its European neighbors. If you’re planning to visit Hungary, learning some basic Hungarian phrases will help you communicate and enrich your experience.

Introduction

This article presents 100 common Hungarian phrases organized into practical categories, such as greetings, transportation, emergencies, and more. Additionally, we’ll include pronunciation guides, cultural insights, and frequently asked questions to help you navigate your trip smoothly.

Greetings and Basic Phrases

Knowing how to greet people and use basic phrases is the foundation of any conversation. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or asking for directions, these phrases will help you feel comfortable.

1. Hello – Helló – [he-lo]
2. Good morning – Jó reggelt – [yo re-gelt]
3. Good afternoon – Jó napot – [yo na-pot]
4. Good evening – Jó estét – [yo es-tate]
5. Goodbye – Viszlát – [vis-lat]
6. Please – Kérem – [kay-rem]
7. Thank you – Köszönöm – [kos-sen-om]
8. You’re welcome – Szívesen – [see-vesh-en]
9. Yes – Igen – [ee-gen]
10. No – Nem – [nem]
11. Excuse me – Elnézést – [el-ne-zest]
12. Sorry – Bocsánat – [bo-cha-nat]
13. How are you? – Hogy vagy? – [hodj vadj]
14. I’m fine, thank you. – Jól vagyok, köszönöm. – [yol vad-jok, kos-son-om]
15. What is your name? – Mi a neved? – [mee a nev-ed]

2. Directions and Transportation

When you’re traveling in Hungary, being able to ask for directions or understand transportation-related phrases is crucial. Here are the most important phrases to help you navigate public transit or find your way around:

11. Where is the bathroom? – Hol van a WC? – [hol van a v-tse?]
12. How much is a ticket? – Mennyibe kerül egy jegy? – [men-yi-be ker-ul egy yedj?]
13. I need a taxi. – Szükségem van egy taxira. – [soo-kshe-gem van egy taxi-ra]
14. Where is the train station? – Hol van a vasútállomás? – [hol van a vash-oot-al-o-mash?]
15. I’m lost. – Eltévedtem. – [el-te-ved-tem]
16. Can you help me? – Tudsz segíteni? – [toots seg-ee-ten-ee]
17. Is it far? – Messze van? – [mes-ze van?]
18. Turn left. – Forduljon balra. – [for-dool-yon bal-ra]
19. Turn right. – Forduljon jobbra. – [for-dool-yon yob-ra]
20. Straight ahead. – Egyenesen előre. – [ed-ye-ne-shen el-o-re]

3. Emergencies

Knowing how to handle emergencies is crucial, and these phrases can help you if you find yourself in an urgent situation:

21. Help! – Segítség! – [seg-eet-sheg]
22. Call the police! – Hívja a rendőrséget! – [heev-ya a ren-dors-heg-et]
23. I need a doctor. – Orvosra van szükségem. – [or-vosh-ra van soo-kshe-gem]
24. I am hurt. – Megsérültem. – [meg-she-rool-tem]
25. Fire! – Tűz! – [tooz]
26. Where is the hospital? – Hol van a kórház? – [hol van a kor-haz?]
27. I’ve lost my wallet. – Elveszítettem a pénztárcámat. – [el-vesz-ee-tem a penz-tar-tsa-mat]
28. I don’t feel well. – Nem érzem jól magam. – [nem er-zem yol ma-gam]
29. Is there a pharmacy nearby? – Van gyógyszertár a közelben? – [van djo-dszer-tar a ke-zel-ben?]

4. Numbers and Counting

Numbers are essential for shopping, understanding prices, and following schedules. Here are some key Hungarian numbers:

30. One – Egy – [edge]
31. Two – Kettő – [ke-too]
32. Three – Három – [ha-rom]
33. Four – Négy – [nedge]
34. Five – Öt – [urt]
35. Six – Hat – [hot]
36. Seven – Hét – [het]
37. Eight – Nyolc – [nyolts]
38. Nine – Kilenc – [kee-lentz]
39. Ten – Tíz – [teez]
40. Twenty – Húsz – [hoose]
41. Hundred – Száz – [sahz]

5. Colors

Being able to identify colors will help you in many situations, from shopping for souvenirs to understanding street signs:

42. Red – Piros – [pee-rosh]
43. Blue – Kék – [kayk]
44. Green – Zöld – [zold]
45. Yellow – Sárga – [shar-ga]
46. White – Fehér – [fe-her]
47. Black – Fekete – [fe-ke-te]
48. Pink – Rózsaszín – [roh-za-sin]
49. Orange – Narancssárga – [nah-rants-shar-ga]
50. Purple – Lila – [lee-lah]
51. Brown – Barna – [bar-nah]

6. Food and Dining

When it comes to food, these phrases will help you understand menus and order meals with ease:

52. I am hungry. – Éhes vagyok. – [ay-hesh vad-jok]
53. I’m thirsty. – Szomjas vagyok. – [sohm-yash vad-jok]
54. Water – Víz – [veez]
55. Bread – Kenyér – [ken-yer]
56. Meat – Hús – [hoosh]
57. Vegetables – Zöldségek – [zold-shay-gek]
58. Fruit – Gyümölcs – [dyoo-molts]
59. Cheese – Sajt – [shait]
60. Soup – Leves – [le-vesh]
61. I am vegetarian. – Vegetáriánus vagyok. – [veg-e-ta-ree-ah-noosh vad-jok]

7. Time and Dates

Time and dates are essential when scheduling activities, making reservations, or traveling around:

63. What time is it? – Hány óra van? – [hany oh-rah van?]
64. It’s one o’clock. – Egy óra van. – [edge oh-rah van]
65. Today – Ma – [mah]
66. Tomorrow – Holnap – [hol-nap]
67. Yesterday – Tegnap – [teg-nap]
68. Day – Nap – [nap]
69. Week – Hét – [het]
70. Month – Hónap – [hoh-nap]
71. Year – Év – [ayv]

8. Family and Relationships

When talking to Hungarians about family or making small talk, these phrases will come in handy:

72. Family – Család – [cha-lad]
73. Mother – Anya – [ah-nya]
74. Father – Apa – [ah-pah]
75. Sister – Nővér – [noo-ver]
76. Brother – Testvér – [tesh-tver]
77. Friend – Barát – [bah-raht]
78. Husband – Férj – [fair]
79. Wife – Feleség – [fe-lesh-egg]
80. Child – Gyermek – [djer-mek]
81. How many children do you have? – Hány gyermeke van? – [hany djer-me-ke van?]

9. Shopping

Hungary offers plenty of opportunities to shop, whether for local goods or souvenirs. Here are the essential phrases for shopping:

1. How much is this? – Mennyibe kerül ez? – [men-yibe ker-ul ez?]
2. I would like to buy this. – Szeretném megvenni ezt. – [se-ret-nem meg-ven-ni ezt]
3. Do you have this in another size? – Van más méretben? – [van mash may-ret-ben?]
4. I am just looking. – Csak nézelődöm. – [chok ne-ze-lo-deom]
5. Where is the nearest shopping center? – Hol van a legközelebbi bevásárlóközpont? – [hol van a leg-ke-ze-leb-be bev-ash-ar-lo-k-oz-pont]

10. Weather

Talking about the weather is a great way to start a conversation. Here are common weather-related phrases:

1. What’s the weather like? – Milyen idő van? – [mee-lyen ee-do van?]
2. It’s sunny. – Napos az idő. – [nah-pohsh az ee-do]
3. It’s raining. – Esik az eső. – [esh-ik az esh-oo]
4. It’s cold. – Hideg van. – [hi-deg van]
5. It’s hot. – Meleg van. – [me-leg van]

10 Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Learning Hungarian Language

How difficult is it to learn Hungarian?

Hungarian is a challenging language for many, but with consistent practice, it can be learned.

Is Hungarian related to other European languages?

No, Hungarian is not related to the majority of European languages, though there are some loanwords from other languages.

How do I improve my pronunciation in Hungarian?

Listening to native speakers and repeating phrases will help with your pronunciation.

Are there any similarities between Hungarian and other languages?

While Hungarian isn’t related to most European languages, it shares some vocabulary with Turkish, Finnish, and Slavic languages.

What is the best way to learn Hungarian?

Immersing yourself in the language through practice, listening, and speaking is the best approach.

Is it necessary to learn Hungarian to travel in Hungary?

Many Hungarians speak English, especially in tourist areas, but knowing basic Hungarian phrases will enrich your experience.

How many cases are there in Hungarian?

Hungarian has 18 grammatical cases, which affect nouns and pronouns.

Are there any resources to learn Hungarian online?

Yes, many apps and websites offer Hungarian lessons, including Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when learning Hungarian?

Mispronouncing vowel sounds is a common mistake, as well as confusing verb forms.

Can I get by speaking only English in Hungary?

English is widely understood in cities, but outside major tourist areas, knowing basic Hungarian is helpful.

Tourist Experiences with Hungary

Hungary offers unique experiences for tourists. From stunning architecture and thermal baths to its rich cultural heritage, there’s always something interesting to explore.

Visiting the famous Hungarian Parliament Building or the Buda Castle in Budapest provides a glimpse into the country’s history.

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

Understanding Hungarian culture is key to having a successful visit. Hungarians are generally formal in their social interactions, and respecting personal space is important. Greetings are usually polite, with a firm handshake or kiss on the cheek for friends.

Dress Code

In Hungary, dressing neatly and appropriately is appreciated. In business settings, a suit or smart attire is expected. For casual outings, smart-casual is the norm.

Dining Etiquette

Meals are an important social occasion. Always wait for the host to start eating, and make eye contact while toasting. Tipping is expected in restaurants, typically around 10%.

Public Behavior

Public behavior in Hungary is generally polite and reserved. Loud or disruptive behavior is frowned upon, and personal space is valued in public spaces. It is important to maintain a respectful demeanor, especially in formal or traditional settings.

Religion and Traditions

Hungary is a predominantly Catholic country, and religious festivals like Christmas and Easter play an important role in its culture.

Conclusion

By learning these common Hungarian phrases, you’re well on your way to having a more enjoyable and successful visit to Hungary. Whether you’re navigating the streets of Budapest, ordering food at a restaurant, or just chatting with locals, these phrases will help you feel more comfortable and confident. Remember to practice the pronunciation and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Hungarians appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak their language!