Yes, no and the essentials in Hungarian
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Hungarian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Hungarian phrases in this lesson
- IgenEE-gen
- Yes
- Nemnem
- No
- RendbenREND-ben
- Okay
- Nem értemnem AYR-tem
- I don't understand
- Beszél angolul?BEH-sayl ON-goh-lool
- Do you speak English?
- Megismételné?MEG-eesh-may-tel-nay
- Can you repeat that?
- Lassabban, kéremLOSH-shob-bon, KAY-rem
- Slowly, please
- Mi ez?mee ez
- What is this?
- Szükségem van...SEWK-shay-gem von
- I need...
- Tudna segíteni?TOOD-no SHEH-gee-teh-nee
- Can you help me?
Clear and unambiguous. Hungarians also use a slight head nod as confirmation. Note that Hungarian word order is flexible but not random: stress and topic move rather than a fixed subject-verb-object rule.
Also serves as the negation: "nem tudom" (I do not know), "nem értem" (I do not understand). A single word that does a great deal of work. The same pronunciation as the German "nehm" but shorter.
Literally "in order". The universal okay, fine, agreed. "Oké" (borrowed from English) is also in widespread use, especially among younger Hungarians. Both are completely understood.
"Nem értem" is present tense, literally I do not understand. Follow with "Kérem, lassan beszéljen" (please speak slowly) and you cover most situations. Hungarians are used to their language being difficult for outsiders and are patient.
The polite formal form. Budapest has widespread English among younger people and in tourism; outside the capital it drops off sharply. Having a translation app is wise in rural areas. Hungarians are touched when visitors attempt even a word of Magyar.
Polite form.
Literally "more slowly, please".
"Szükségem van orvosra", I need a doctor.
Polite form.