Hungary, with its rich history, thermal baths, and the stunning Danube River, is a beautiful country to explore. However, while English is widely spoken in tourist areas, venturing into more local spots often requires a bit of Hungarian. Known for its unique linguistic roots in the Finno-Ugric family, Hungarian can seem daunting at first. But fear not! This article will equip you with basic Hungarian phrases that will enhance your travel experience and allow you to connect with locals more meaningfully.
Greetings and Basics
Starting with greetings and simple phrases can make a great first impression. Here are some essential expressions to get you started:
Hello / Hi – Szia (informal) / Sziasztok (plural informal) / Jó napot (formal)
Good morning – Jó reggelt
Good evening – Jó estét
Good night – Jó éjszakát
Goodbye – Viszontlátásra / Viszlát (informal)
Yes – Igen
No – Nem
Please – Kérem
Thank you – Köszönöm
You’re welcome – Szívesen
Excuse me / Sorry – Elnézést
My name is… – A nevem…
What is your name? – Mi a neved? (informal) / Mi az ön neve? (formal)
Nice to meet you – Örvendek
How are you? – Hogy vagy? (informal) / Hogy van? (formal)
I’m fine, thank you – Köszönöm, jól vagyok
Numbers and Counting
Understanding numbers is crucial, especially when dealing with prices, addresses, or time. Here are the numbers from one to ten:
1 – Egy
2 – Kettő / Két (used in compound numbers)
3 – Három
4 – Négy
5 – Öt
6 – Hat
7 – Hét
8 – Nyolc
9 – Kilenc
10 – Tíz
For larger numbers, here are a few more:
20 – Húsz
30 – Harminc
40 – Negyven
50 – Ötven
100 – Száz
1,000 – Ezer
Common Questions
Being able to ask and understand basic questions can be very helpful. Here are some common questions you might need:
Where is…? – Hol van…?
How much does this cost? – Mennyibe kerül?
Can you help me? – Tudna segíteni?
Do you speak English? – Beszél angolul?
What time is it? – Hány óra van?
Where is the bathroom? – Hol van a mosdó?
What is this? – Mi ez?
How do I get to…? – Hogyan jutok el…?
Dining Out
Dining is a significant part of the travel experience. Knowing a few phrases can make ordering food and drinks much easier:
I would like… – Szeretnék…
Menu, please – Az étlapot, kérem
Water – Víz
Beer – Sör
Wine – Bor
Tea – Tea
Coffee – Kávé
Check, please – A számlát, kérem
Delicious – Finom
Cheers! – Egészségére!
Emergency Phrases
In case of emergencies, knowing how to ask for help is crucial:
Help! – Segítség!
I need a doctor – Orvosra van szükségem
Call the police – Hívja a rendőrséget
I am lost – Elvesztem
I have lost my passport – Elvesztettem az útlevelem
Fire! – Tűz!
Shopping and Bargaining
Hungary offers fantastic shopping opportunities, from souvenirs to local products. Here are some useful phrases for shopping:
How much is this? – Mennyibe kerül ez?
Can I try it on? – Felpróbálhatom?
Do you have this in another size? – Van ez más méretben?
Do you accept credit cards? – Elfogadnak bankkártyát?
I’m just looking – Csak nézelődöm
Getting Around
Whether you’re navigating the streets or using public transport, these phrases will help:
Where is the bus stop? – Hol van a buszmegálló?
Where is the train station? – Hol van a vasútállomás?
Where is the subway? – Hol van a metró?
How do I get to the city center? – Hogyan jutok el a városközpontba?
One ticket to… please – Egy jegyet …-ba/-be, kérem
When does the bus/train leave? – Mikor indul a busz/vonat?
Accommodations
Booking and staying in accommodations can be smoother with these phrases:
I have a reservation – Van egy foglalásom
Do you have any rooms available? – Van szabad szobájuk?
How much is a room for one night? – Mennyibe kerül egy szoba egy éjszakára?
Where is my room? – Hol van a szobám?
I would like to check out – Ki szeretnék jelentkezni
Useful Adjectives
Adjectives can help you describe things more clearly. Here are a few that might come in handy:
Big – Nagy
Small – Kicsi
Hot – Forró
Cold – Hideg
Expensive – Drága
Cheap – Olcsó
Good – Jó
Bad – Rossz
Days and Time
Understanding the days of the week and time can help you manage your itinerary better:
Monday – Hétfő
Tuesday – Kedd
Wednesday – Szerda
Thursday – Csütörtök
Friday – Péntek
Saturday – Szombat
Sunday – Vasárnap
Today – Ma
Tomorrow – Holnap
Yesterday – Tegnap
Morning – Reggel
Afternoon – Délután
Evening – Este
Night – Éjszaka
Politeness and Conversation Starters
Politeness is always appreciated, and having a few conversation starters can break the ice:
Do you understand? – Érti?
I don’t understand – Nem értem
Could you speak more slowly? – Beszélne lassabban?
Can you repeat that? – Megismételné?
I like Hungary – Szeretem Magyarországot
This is beautiful – Ez gyönyörű
What do you recommend? – Mit ajánl?
I’m a tourist – Turista vagyok
I’m from… – …-ból/ből jöttem
Conclusion
While Hungarian may seem challenging initially, learning a few basic phrases can significantly enhance your travel experience. The locals will surely appreciate your efforts to speak their language, and you will find it easier to navigate, dine, and enjoy all that Hungary has to offer. Practice these phrases, and you’ll soon find yourself more confident and comfortable in this beautiful country.
Happy travels and jó utat!
