Learning Hungarian: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Hungarian course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Hungarian is like
Hungarian is agglutinative: it stacks suffixes onto a word to build meaning, so one long word can do the work of a whole English phrase. It also follows vowel harmony — suffixes come in two versions and you pick the one that fits the vowels of the word. Good news: spelling is phonetic and stress almost always falls on the first syllable, so if you read it, you can say it.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Hungarian is beautifully phonetic — every letter always makes the same sound. Learn the few special digraphs and you can read any word aloud.
- gy — like "dy/dj" in "duke" — a soft "d" blended into "y", as in egy = EDJ (1) · Magyar = MAH-dyor.
- ny — like "ny" in "canyon", as in nyolc = nyolts (8).
- sz — a plain "s" as in "yes" (never "z"), as in szia = SEE-ah · kenyér = KEN-yehr.
- cs — "ch" as in "church", as in család = CHAH-lad (family).
- s — "sh" as in "she" — Hungarian "s" is NOT English "s", as in sör = shur (beer) · szép = sayp.
- ö/ü — rounded front vowels — lips like "oo", but say "e", as in öt = ERT (5) · kettő = KET-tuh.
- r — rolled / trilled "r" — tap the tip of your tongue, as in Róma = ROH-maw · jó reggelt.
- ty — a soft "t" as in "tune" / "cute", as in kutya = KOO-tya (dog).
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Szia | SEE-ah | Hello |
| Jó napot | YO NAH-pot | Good day |
| Jó reggelt | YO REG-gelt | Good morning |
| Viszlát | VEES-lat | Goodbye |
| Hogy vagy? | HODJ vawdj | How are you? |
| Köszönöm | KUH-suh-nuhm | Thank you |
| Köszönöm szépen | KUH-suh-nuhm SAY-pen | Thank you very much |
| Kérem | KAY-rem | Please / you're welcome |
| Szívesen | SEE-veh-shen | You're welcome |
| Bocsánat | BOH-chah-not | Excuse me / sorry |
| Igen | EE-gen | Yes |
| Nem | nem | No |
| Egy | EDJ | 1 |
| Kettő | KET-tuh | 2 |
| Három | HAH-rom | 3 |
| Négy | NEDJ | 4 |
| Öt | ERT | 5 |
| Tíz | teez | 10 |
| Víz | VEEZ | water |
| Kenyér | KEN-yehr | bread |
| Kávé | KAH-vay | coffee |
| Tea | TEH-ah | tea |
| Sör | shur | beer |
| A számlát | aw SHAHM-lat | the bill |
| Merre...? | MER-reh | Which way...? |
| Jobbra | YOB-raw | to the right |
| Balra | BOL-raw | to the left |
| Egyenesen | EDJ-yeh-neh-shen | straight ahead |
| A pályaudvar | aw PAH-yah-oo-dvahr | the station |
| Mennyibe kerül? | MEN-yee-beh KEH-rewl | How much is it? |
How the Hungarian course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & being polite — Szia · Jó napot · köszönöm · kérem
- Numbers 1–10 — egy · kettő · három · tíz
- I want" — szeretnék & akarok — szeretnék · akarok · egy
- Food & drink — víz · kenyér · kávé · a menü
- Getting around — Merre? · jobbra · balra · pályaudvar
- Questions & "is there…?" — van · hol van · tud segíteni
- Family & people — család · anya · apa · barát
- Time, days & weather — ma · holnap · milyen idő van?
- Your name — a nevem Alex · mi a neved?
- Health & emergency — Segítség! · orvos · nem értem
- Describing things — szép · nagy · kicsi · nagyon
- Tying it together — a capstone scene
- Airport & tickets — reptér · útlevél · jegy · kapu
- The taxi — taxi · megyek · hotel · álljon meg
- The hotel — foglalás · szoba · kulcs · éjszaka
- Ask for help — nem értem · lassabban · angolul
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & being polite
Key pieces: Szia · Jó napot · köszönöm · kérem
Start with the word you'll say all day: Szia — hello (informal) and bye. Say it out loud.
- Szia (SEE-ah) — hi / bye
- Jó napot (YO NAH-pot) — good day
- Jó reggelt (YO REG-gelt) — good morning
- Jó estét (YO EH-shayt) — good evening
- Viszlát (VEES-lat) — goodbye
To say “Hello, thank you” in Hungarian: Szia, köszönöm (SEE-ah, KUH-suh-nuhm). Built from szia = hello; köszönöm = thank you.
The politeness pair: köszönöm (thank you) and kérem (please / you're welcome). Both are everywhere.
To say “The menu, please” in Hungarian: A menü, kérem (aw MEH-new, KAY-rem). Built from a menü = the menu; kérem = please.
To ask how someone is: Hogy vagy? (informal). The reply is Köszönöm, jól — fine, thanks.
- Hogy vagy? (HODJ vawdj) — How are you?
- Köszönöm, jól (KUH-suh-nuhm, YOL) — Fine, thanks
- És te? (aysh teh) — And you?
To say “Hi, how are you?” in Hungarian: Szia, hogy vagy? (SEE-ah, HODJ vawdj). Built from szia = hi; hogy vagy? = how are you?.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: egy · kettő · három · tíz
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: egy, kettő, három .
- egy (EDJ) — 1
- kettő (KET-tuh) — 2
- három (HAH-rom) — 3
- négy (NEDJ) — 4
- öt (ERT) — 5
- tíz (teez) — 10
To say “Two coffees, please” in Hungarian: Két kávét kérek (kayt KAH-vayt KAY-rek). Built from két = two; kávét = coffee; kérek = I'd like.
Mennyibe kerül? = how much is it? A key phrase for shops and the market.
To say “How much is it?” in Hungarian: Mennyibe kerül? (MEN-yee-beh KEH-rewl). Built from mennyibe = how much; kerül = does it cost.
To say “It's five hundred forints” in Hungarian: Ötszáz forint (ERT-saz forint). Built from ötszáz = five hundred; forint = forint (the currency).
I want" — szeretnék & akarok
Key pieces: szeretnék · akarok · egy
The magic phrase to order anything: szeretnék — I would like. Kinder than 'I want'.
The plain 'I want' is akarok , but szeretnék gets you a warmer reply. Pair it with what you want: Szeretnék egy kávét .
To say “I'd like a coffee” in Hungarian: Szeretnék egy kávét (SEH-ret-nayk EDJ KAH-vayt). Built from szeretnék = I'd like; egy kávét = a coffee.
To say “I'd like a water” in Hungarian: Szeretnék egy vizet (SEH-ret-nayk EDJ VEE-zet). Built from szeretnék = I'd like; egy vizet = a water.
To ask for the bill, say Szeretnék fizetni — I would like to pay.
To say “I'd like to pay” in Hungarian: Szeretnék fizetni (SEH-ret-nayk FEE-zet-nee). Built from szeretnék = I'd like; fizetni = to pay.
Food & drink
Key pieces: víz · kenyér · kávé · a menü
Eating out? Key words: víz (water), kenyér (bread), kávé (coffee).
- víz (VEEZ) — water
- kenyér (KEN-yehr) — bread
- kávé (KAH-vay) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
- tea (TEH-ah) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English tea.
- a menü (aw MEH-new) — the menu Memory hook: ≈ English menu.
- sör (shur) — beer
To say “Water and bread, please” in Hungarian: Vizet és kenyeret kérek (VEE-zet aysh KEN-ye-ret KAY-rek). Built from vizet = water; és = and; kenyeret = bread; kérek = I'd like.
To say “A coffee, please” in Hungarian: Egy kávét kérek (EDJ KAH-vayt KAY-rek). Built from egy = a; kávét = coffee; kérek = I'd like.
Nagyon finom! = very delicious. Say it and you'll make the cook smile.
To say “Delicious! Thank you!” in Hungarian: Nagyon finom! Köszönöm! (NAH-dyon FEE-nom, KUH-suh-nuhm). Built from nagyon finom = very delicious; köszönöm = thank you.
Getting around
Key pieces: Merre? · jobbra · balra · pályaudvar
The most useful question in a new city: Merre…? — which way…? Also Hol van…? — where is…?
- Merre...? (MER-reh) — which way / where...?
- jobbra (YOB-raw) — to the right
- balra (BOL-raw) — to the left
- egyenesen (EDJ-yeh-neh-shen) — straight ahead
- a pályaudvar (aw PAH-yah-oo-dvahr) — the station
- a mosdó (aw MOZH-doh) — the bathroom
To say “Where is the station?” in Hungarian: Hol van a pályaudvar? (hol vahn aw PAH-yah-oo-dvahr). Built from hol van = where is; a pályaudvar = the station.
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Hungarian: Hol van a mosdó? (hol vahn aw MOZH-doh). Built from hol van = where is; a mosdó = the bathroom.
jobbra (right) and balra (left) tell you which way to turn. 'Straight ahead' is egyenesen .
To say “Straight ahead” in Hungarian: Egyenesen (EDJ-yeh-neh-shen). Built from egyenesen = straight ahead.
Questions & "is there…?"
Key pieces: van · hol van · tud segíteni
Van…? = is there…? / do you have…? Such a useful little word for travel.
To say “Is there wifi?” in Hungarian: Van wifi? (von WEE-fee). Built from van = is there; wifi = wifi.
Hol van…? = where is…? Combine it with a place and you can find anything.
To say “Do you have a menu?” in Hungarian: Van menüjük? (von MEH-new-yuk). Built from van = do you have; menüjük = your menu.
Lost? Tud segíteni? = can you help me?
To say “Can you help me?” in Hungarian: Tud segíteni? (tood SHEG-ee-teh-nee). Built from tud = can you; segíteni = to help.
Family & people
Key pieces: család · anya · apa · barát
Family words: család (family), anya (mother), apa (father).
- család (CHAH-lad) — family
- anya (ON-yo) — mother
- apa (OP-oh) — father
- barát (BOH-rat) — friend
- testvér (TEHSH-vayr) — brother / sister
To say “I have a friend” in Hungarian: Van egy barátom (von EDJ BOH-ra-tom). Built from van = I have; egy = a; barátom = my friend.
Van = have / there is. It's the key to saying what you've got: van egy… .
To say “I have a family” in Hungarian: Van egy családom (von EDJ CHAH-la-dom). Built from van = I have; egy családom = a family.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: ma · holnap · milyen idő van?
Today is ma , tomorrow is holnap . To ask the time: Hány óra van?
- ma (mo) — today
- holnap (HOL-nop) — tomorrow
- most (mohsht) — now
- péntek (PAYN-tek) — Friday
- Hány óra van? (HAH-nyo OH-ro von) — what time is it?
To say “See you tomorrow” in Hungarian: Holnap találkozunk (HOL-nop TOL-al-ko-zoonk). Built from holnap = tomorrow; találkozunk = we'll meet.
Ask about the weather: Milyen idő van?
To say “It's raining” in Hungarian: Esik az eső (EH-sheek oz EH-shuh). Built from esik = it's falling; az eső = the rain.
Your name
Key pieces: a nevem Alex · mi a neved?
Introduce yourself: A nevem… = my name is…, and Örvendek = pleased to meet you.
To say “My name is Alex” in Hungarian: A nevem Alex (aw NEH-vem Alex). Built from a nevem = my name is; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name: Mi a neved? (informal).
To say “What's your name?” in Hungarian: Mi a neved? (mee aw NEH-ved). Built from mi = what; a neved = your name.
To say “Pleased to meet you” in Hungarian: Örvendek (UR-ven-dek). Built from örvendek = I am pleased.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: Segítség! · orvos · nem értem
The most important words if you need help: Segítség! (help), orvos (doctor), gyógyszertár (pharmacy).
- Segítség! (SHEG-eet-shayg) — help!
- az orvos (oz OR-vosh) — the doctor
- a gyógyszertár (aw DYOHD-yer-tar) — the pharmacy
- Nem értem (nem AYR-tem) — I don't understand
To say “Help!” in Hungarian: Segítség! (SHEG-eet-shayg). Built from segítség = help.
To say “I don't understand” in Hungarian: Nem értem (nem AYR-tem). Built from nem = not; értem = I understand.
To say you need help: Segítségre van szükségem .
To say “I need help” in Hungarian: Segítségre van szükségem (SHEG-eet-shayg-reh von SOOK-sheh-gem). Built from segítségre = because of help; van szükségem = I have need.
Describing things
Key pieces: szép · nagy · kicsi · nagyon
Adjectives are easy: szép (beautiful), nagy (big), kicsi (small).
- szép (sayp) — beautiful
- nagy (nahdj) — big
- kicsi (KEE-chee) — small
- nagyon (NAH-dyon) — very / a lot
To say “Very beautiful” in Hungarian: Nagyon szép (NAH-dyon sayp). Built from nagyon = very; szép = beautiful.
To say “A big coffee” in Hungarian: Egy nagy kávé (EDJ nahdj KAH-vay). Built from egy = a; nagy = big; kávé = coffee.
Tying it together
Key pieces: a capstone scene
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Hungarian: Szia, hogy vagy? (SEE-ah, HODJ vawdj). Built from szia = hi; hogy vagy? = how are you?.
To say “I'd like a water, please” in Hungarian: Szeretnék egy vizet, kérem (SEH-ret-nayk EDJ VEE-zet, KAY-rem). Built from szeretnék = I'd like; egy vizet = a water; kérem = please.
To say “Where is the station?” in Hungarian: Hol van a pályaudvar? (hol vahn aw PAH-yah-oo-dvahr). Built from hol van = where is; a pályaudvar = the station.
To say “How much is it?” in Hungarian: Mennyibe kerül? (MEN-yee-beh KEH-rewl). Built from mennyibe kerül? = how much is it?.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: reptér · útlevél · jegy · kapu
You have landed. The building is the reptér . Your document is an útlevél .
- a reptér (aw REP-tayr) — the airport
- az útlevél (oz OOT-leh-vayl) — the passport
- a jegy (aw YEDJ) — the ticket
- a járat (aw YAH-rot) — the flight
- a kapu (aw KAH-poo) — the gate
To say “Where is the airport?” in Hungarian: Hol van a reptér? (hol vahn aw REP-tayr). Built from hol van = where is; a reptér = the airport.
To say “Here is my passport” in Hungarian: Itt van az útlevelem (it vahn oz OOT-leh-veh-lem). Built from itt van = here is; az útlevelem = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Hungarian: Egy jegyet kérek (EDJ YED-yet KAY-rek). Built from egy jegyet = a ticket; kérek = I'd like.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Hungarian: Hol van a kapu? (hol vahn aw KAH-poo). Built from hol van = where is; a kapu = the gate.
The taxi
Key pieces: taxi · megyek · hotel · álljon meg
The driver is waiting. Taxi is the same word. Tell them where to go with a hotelbe szeretnék menni .
- a taxi (aw TAK-see) — the taxi
- a sofőr (aw SHO-fur) — the driver
- menni szeretnék (MEN-nee SEH-ret-nayk) — I would like to go
- álljon meg itt (AHL-yon meg it) — stop here (formal)
To say “Taxi, please” in Hungarian: Egy taxit kérek (EDJ TAK-sit KAY-rek). Built from egy taxit = a taxi; kérek = I'd like.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Hungarian: A hotelbe szeretnék menni (aw HO-tel-beh SEH-ret-nayk MEN-nee). Built from a hotelbe = to the hotel; szeretnék = I'd like; menni = to go.
To say “Stop here, please” in Hungarian: Álljon meg itt, kérem (AHL-yon meg it, KAY-rem). Built from álljon meg = stop (formal); itt = here; kérem = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Hungarian: Mennyibe kerül? (MEN-yee-beh KEH-rewl). Built from mennyibe = how much; kerül = does it cost.
The hotel
Key pieces: foglalás · szoba · kulcs · éjszaka
At the desk: van foglalásom — I have a reservation.
- a hotel (aw HO-tel) — the hotel
- a foglalás (aw FOG-lah-lahsh) — the reservation
- a szoba (aw SO-bah) — the room
- a kulcs (aw koolch) — the key
- egy éjszaka (EDJ AY-sah-kah) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Hungarian: Van foglalásom (von FOG-lah-lah-shom). Built from van = I have; foglalásom = my reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Hungarian: Egy szobát kérek egy éjszakára (EDJ SO-baht KAY-rek EDJ AY-sah-kah-rah). Built from egy szobát = a room; kérek = I'd like; egy éjszakára = for one night.
To say “The key, please” in Hungarian: A kulcsot, kérem (aw KOOL-chot, KAY-rem). Built from a kulcsot = the key; kérem = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Hungarian: Hol van a szobám? (hol vahn aw SO-bahm). Built from hol van = where is; a szobám = my room.
Ask for help
Key pieces: nem értem · lassabban · angolul
When the language is too fast: Lassabban, kérem — slower, please.
- lassabban (LAHSH-shahb-bahn) — slower
- még egyszer (mayg EDJ-ser) — again
- angolul (ON-go-lool) — in English
- tud segíteni? (tood SHEG-ee-teh-nee) — can you help?
To say “I don't understand” in Hungarian: Nem értem (nem AYR-tem). Built from nem = not; értem = I understand.
To say “Slower, please” in Hungarian: Lassabban, kérem (LAHSH-shahb-bahn, KAY-rem). Built from lassabban = slower; kérem = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Hungarian: Tud segíteni? (tood SHEG-ee-teh-nee). Built from tud = can you; segíteni = help.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Hungarian: Beszél angolul? (BEH-sayl ON-go-lool). Built from beszél = do you speak (formal); angolul = English.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- álljon meg itt (AHL-yon meg it): formal.
Culture and etiquette
Gulyás is a soup
Gulyás is a hearty paprika beef soup, not a thick stew — served in a kettle with a dollop of hot pepper paste. 'Gulyás' also names the herdsmen who once made it. Order it with fresh bread.
The city of baths
Budapest calls itself the 'spa capital' — thermal springs fuelled a bath culture for centuries. Soak in the Széchenyi baths in a grandiose historic building; locals play chess in the warm water.
A Uralic island
Hungarian is Uralic, not Indo-European. It is a cousin of Finnish and Estonian, and shares almost nothing with its neighbours, so you won't find English or German cognates. Learn words on their own terms.
Pálinka
Pálinka is a strong fruit brandy (plum, apricot, pear). It's a national drink, often served chilled and poured generously. Sip it slowly and it's a warm welcome.
Toast with a cheer
Raise a glass with 'Egészségedre!' (to your health). Hungarians clink glasses and say it before the first sip — it's rude to drink before someone has said it.
A little Magyar goes far
Hungarians are famously proud of their unusual language, and foreigners rarely attempt it. A single 'Jó napot' or 'köszönöm' can light up a whole shop or restaurant.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: Jó napot! Egy kávét kérek, kérem. (YO NAH-pot, EDJ KAH-vayt KAY-rek, KAY-rem) — Good day! A coffee, please.
Barista: Ide vagy elvitelre? (EE-deh vawg EL-vee-tel-reh) — For here or to go?
You: Elvitelre, köszönöm. (EL-vee-tel-reh, KUH-suh-nuhm) — To go, thanks.
Barista: Parancsoljon. Ez háromszáz forint. (PAH-rawn-chol-yon, ez HAH-rom-saz forint) — Here you go. That's three hundred forints.
You: Köszönöm szépen! (KUH-suh-nuhm SAY-pen) — Thank you very much!
At the station
You: Elnézést, hol van a pályaudvar? (EL-nay-zaysht, hol vahn aw PAH-yah-oo-dvahr) — Excuse me, where's the station?
Local: Ott van, egyenesen előre. (ot vahn, EDJ-yeh-neh-shen EL-ur-reh) — It's there, straight ahead.
You: Köszönöm. Egy jegyet kérek Budapestre. (KUH-suh-nuhm, EDJ YEH-dyet KAY-rek BOO-dah-pesht-reh) — Thanks. A ticket to Budapest, please.
Ticket: Kétezer forint. A vonat nyolckor indul. (KAY-teh-zer forint, aw VOH-nat nyolts-kor IN-dool) — Two thousand forints. The train leaves at eight.
At a restaurant
Waiter: Jó estét! Van asztalfoglalása? (YO EH-shayt, von OS-tol-fog-lah-lah-shah) — Good evening! Do you have a reservation?
You: Igen, két személyre. (EE-gen, kayt SEM-ay-reh) — Yes, for two.
You: A menü, legyen szíves. (aw MEH-new, LEH-dyen SEE-vash) — The menu, please.
You: Kérek egy levest és egy sört. (KAY-rek EDJ LEH-vesht aysh EDJ shurt) — I'd like a soup and a beer.
Waiter: Jó étvágyat! (YO AYT-vah-dyot) — Enjoy your meal!
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.