Order anything by pointing in Hungarian
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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
- Kérnék...KAYR-nayk
- I would like...
- Eztezt
- This one
- Mennyibe kerül?MEN-yee-beh KEH-rewl
- How much is it?
- A számlát kéremah SAHM-laht KAY-rem
- The bill, please
- KártyávalKAHR-tyah-vol
- By card
- KészpénzzelKAYS-paynz-zel
- In cash
- Vízveez
- Water
- KávéKAH-vay
- Coffee
- TeaTEH-ah
- Tea
- Sörshur
- Beer
- ...nélkülNAYL-kewl
- Without...
Literally "I would ask for": "kérnék egy kávét".
The accusative form of "ez" (this), used when you are pointing and asking for something: "Ezt kérem" (I would like this one). At deli counters and bakeries, pointing and saying "ezt" is a complete transaction.
Literally "into how much does it come". The casual short form "Mennyit kér?" (how much do you want for it?) is also common. Hungary uses the forint (Ft); prices at tourist sites can be high, but neighborhood restaurants are very good value.
Literally "the bill, I ask for". You can also say "Fizetni szeretnék" (I would like to pay). Tipping ten percent is standard and appreciated in restaurants. Service charge is not usually added automatically.
The suffix -val/-vel means with or by in Hungarian, agreeing with the noun by vowel harmony. Card payment is widely accepted in Budapest; in rural areas and markets, cash is more reliable. Ask "Elfogadnak kártyát?" (do you accept cards?) if unsure.
Literally "with ready money". The double z reflects the -vel suffix harmonizing with the final z of készpénz. Keep smaller bills handy; change can be scarce at markets and small vendors. 1,000 and 2,000 Ft notes are the most practical.
Tap water in Hungary is safe and drinkable; Budapest tap water is particularly good. Bottled still water is "szénsavmentes víz", sparkling is "szénsavas víz". Hungarian mineral springs are historic; many thermal bath towns have their own labelled waters.
Ordering, it becomes "egy kávét".
Never clink beer glasses in Hungary: an old custom links it to the Austrian victory of 1849.
Goes after the word: "cukor nélkül", without sugar.