Learning a new language can be a fascinating journey, and Hungarian is no exception. One of the essential aspects of mastering any language is understanding how to express time and dates. Hungarian, a Uralic language spoken primarily in Hungary, offers a unique structure for these expressions. In this article, we will delve deep into the various ways to express time and dates in Hungarian, making it easier for English speakers to grasp these concepts.
Understanding Time in Hungarian
In Hungarian, expressing time involves a few key elements: the hour, the minute, and the part of the day. Unlike English, where the 12-hour clock is common, Hungarian predominantly uses the 24-hour format. Let’s break it down further.
Hours
In Hungarian, the word for hour is “óra.” When telling time, you use the numbers from one to twelve, similar to English. However, in the 24-hour format, you continue counting from thirteen to twenty-four for the afternoon and evening hours. Here are some examples:
– 1:00 – egy óra
– 2:00 – két óra
– 13:00 – tizenhárom óra
– 21:00 – huszonegy óra
When referring to specific times, Hungarians often use the 24-hour clock, especially in formal contexts like timetables and schedules.
Minutes
Minutes in Hungarian are expressed using the word “perc.” To indicate the minutes past the hour, you simply add the number of minutes followed by “perc.” For example:
– 1:15 – egy óra tizenöt perc
– 2:30 – két óra harminc perc
– 13:45 – tizenhárom óra negyvenöt perc
If you want to specify the exact minute, you can use the word “pontosan,” meaning “exactly.” For instance:
– Exactly 3:00 – pontosan három óra
Parts of the Day
Hungarian also distinguishes different parts of the day, similar to how English uses “AM” and “PM.” The terms used are:
– Reggel – morning (before 9 AM)
– Délelőtt – before noon (9 AM to 12 PM)
– Dél – noon (12 PM)
– Délután – afternoon (12 PM to 6 PM)
– Este – evening (6 PM to 10 PM)
– Éjjel – night (10 PM to 6 AM)
For example, to say 7:00 AM, you can say “reggel hét óra.” For 7:00 PM, you would say “este hét óra.”
Common Phrases for Time
Here are some common phrases related to time that you might find useful:
– What time is it? – Hány óra van?
– It is 10 o’clock. – Tíz óra van.
– At what time? – Hány órakor?
– At 5 PM. – Délután öt órakor.
Expressing Dates in Hungarian
Dates in Hungarian follow a different structure compared to English. The order in which the day, month, and year are mentioned is distinct and requires some practice. Let’s explore how to properly express dates in Hungarian.
Days of the Week
First, it’s essential to know the days of the week. Here they are:
– Monday – hétfő
– Tuesday – kedd
– Wednesday – szerda
– Thursday – csütörtök
– Friday – péntek
– Saturday – szombat
– Sunday – vasárnap
In Hungarian, the week starts with Monday, unlike in some cultures where Sunday is the starting day.
Months of the Year
Next, let’s look at the months of the year:
– January – január
– February – február
– March – március
– April – április
– May – május
– June – június
– July – július
– August – augusztus
– September – szeptember
– October – október
– November – november
– December – december
Writing Dates
When writing dates in Hungarian, the format is often year-month-day, which is the reverse of the common format used in English-speaking countries. For example, December 25, 2023, would be written as:
– 2023. december 25.
Notice the use of a period after the year and the month. It’s a small but essential detail to remember.
Ordinal Numbers for Dates
Hungarian uses ordinal numbers to indicate dates. Here are the ordinal numbers for the first ten days of the month:
– First – első
– Second – második
– Third – harmadik
– Fourth – negyedik
– Fifth – ötödik
– Sixth – hatodik
– Seventh – hetedik
– Eighth – nyolcadik
– Ninth – kilencedik
– Tenth – tizedik
For example, to say “the first of January,” you would say “január elseje.” For “the second of February,” you would say “február másodika.”
Common Phrases for Dates
Here are some useful phrases related to dates:
– What is the date today? – Mi a mai dátum?
– Today is the 10th of March. – Ma március tizedike van.
– When is your birthday? – Mikor van a születésnapod?
– My birthday is on the 5th of May. – A születésnapom május ötödikén van.
Combining Time and Date
To express both the time and date together, you simply combine the respective phrases. For instance:
– The meeting is on the 15th of June at 2:00 PM. – A találkozó június tizenötödikén délután két órakor van.
This structure is quite straightforward once you have a grasp of both individual elements.
Special Time Expressions
Hungarian also has some special expressions related to time that might not have a direct translation in English. Understanding these can give you a more nuanced grasp of the language.
Relative Time Expressions
Here are some expressions that indicate relative time:
– Now – most
– Soon – hamarosan
– Later – később
– Earlier – korábban
– Recently – nemrég
– In the morning – reggel
– In the evening – este
For example:
– I will do it later. – Később megcsinálom.
– I saw her recently. – Nemrég láttam őt.
Expressions for Frequency
Hungarian also has specific terms to express frequency:
– Always – mindig
– Often – gyakran
– Sometimes – néha
– Rarely – ritkán
– Never – soha
For example:
– I always wake up at 7 AM. – Mindig reggel hétkor kelek fel.
– She rarely eats breakfast. – Ő ritkán reggelizik.
Practice Makes Perfect
Understanding and using time and date expressions in Hungarian can be challenging at first, but with practice, it becomes more intuitive. Here are some tips to help you practice:
Use a Calendar
Start by labeling a calendar in Hungarian. Write the days of the week and the months in Hungarian. Mark important dates and try to describe them using Hungarian phrases.
Daily Routine
Integrate Hungarian time expressions into your daily routine. For example, when you look at the clock, try to say the time in Hungarian. When planning your day, use Hungarian phrases to describe your schedule.
Language Exchange
Engage in language exchange with a native Hungarian speaker. Practice asking about their schedule, important dates, and daily routines. This real-life practice can significantly enhance your understanding and usage of time and date expressions.
Conclusion
Mastering time and date expressions in Hungarian is a crucial step in becoming proficient in the language. While it may seem daunting initially, breaking it down into manageable parts can make the learning process smoother. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. With dedication and consistent effort, you’ll find yourself comfortably expressing time and dates in Hungarian, adding another layer of fluency to your language skills. Happy learning!
