Greetings and politeness in Hungarian
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. 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 11 Hungarian phrases in this lesson
- Jó napotyoh NA-pot
- Hello
- Jó reggeltyoh REG-gelt
- Good morning
- Jó estétyoh ESH-tayt
- Good evening
- ViszlátVEES-laht
- Goodbye
- SziaSEE-ya
- See you
- KéremKAY-rem
- Please
- KöszönömKUH-suh-nuhm
- Thank you
- SzívesenSEE-veh-shen
- You're welcome
- BocsánatBO-chah-not
- Sorry
- ElnézéstEL-nay-zaysht
- Excuse me
- Örülök, hogy megismerhetemUR-ew-luhk hodj MEG-eesh-mer-heh-tem
- Nice to meet you
Literally "good day", and the safe greeting for strangers, shopkeepers and anyone older. The fuller "jó napot kívánok" (I wish you a good day) is more formal still. Among friends, szervusz or szia is what you want instead. Hungarians greet shopkeepers on entry; it is expected and polite.
Used until around nine or ten in the morning. After that, "Jó napot" (good day) takes over until late afternoon, when "Jó estét" (good evening) applies. The full form is "Jó reggelt kívánok" (I wish you a good morning), but the short form is universal.
Said arriving anywhere in the evening.
The everyday goodbye, a clipped form of viszontlátásra ("until we see each other again"), which is the full formal version. Friends use "Szia" for both hello and goodbye, like the Italian ciao it comes from.
Hi and bye in one word between friends. Viszlát is the neutral goodbye.
Used both as "please" when making a request and as "here you are" when handing something over. "Kérem szépen" (KAY-rem SAY-pen) is the fuller, more polite form. It can also mean "you are welcome" in response to thanks.
The polite thank you. "Köszi" (KUH-see) is the casual one among friends.
Literally "gladly" or "with pleasure". The most common response to thanks. "Kérem" (please, you are welcome) is the more formal alternative. "Semmi" (nothing) or "Ugyan" are casual dismissals used between friends.
The everyday apology, for a bump or a mistake.
Used to get attention or to ask to pass.
Literally "I'm glad I can get to know you". Many people simply say "örvendek".