When learning Hungarian, just like any other language, verbs are the backbone of communication. Not only do they describe actions, but they also set the tense and mood of the sentences. Here is a list of essential Hungarian verbs to help you express yourself in everyday situations.
Lenni
To be. This is one of the most fundamental verbs in Hungarian and is used to describe existence, identity, and possession.
Ő egy tanár, és a szállodában van. (He is a teacher, and he is at the hotel.)
Menni
To go. This verb is crucial for talking about movement or travel to places.
Holnap megyek Budapestre. (I am going to Budapest tomorrow.)
Van
To have. While in English ‘to have’ is a separate verb, in Hungarian, the expression of possession typically uses the verb ‘lenni’ in the third person singular form ‘van’.
Nekem van egy kutyám. (I have a dog.)
Tenni
To do or to put. This versatile verb is used for a wide range of actions.
Mit teszel holnap délután? (What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?)
Látni
To see. A crucial verb for describing visual perception.
Látom a hegyeket a távolban. (I see the mountains in the distance.)
Hallani
To hear. Used when referring to the act of hearing sounds or listening.
Hallottad az új dalát? (Did you hear his new song?)
Jönni
To come. This describes the action of moving towards the speaker or a specific place.
Mikor jössz haza? (When are you coming home?)
Enni
To eat. An essential verb for discussing one of life’s greatest pleasures, food.
Szeretek enni a családommal. (I like to eat with my family.)
Inni
To drink. Whether it’s water, tea, or something stronger, you’ll need this verb.
Szeretsz teát inni? (Do you like to drink tea?)
Írni
To write. Whether it’s a letter, an email, or a novel, ‘írni’ is the verb you are looking for.
Regényt írok. (I am writing a novel.)
Olvvasni
To read. This verb is for all the book lovers out there.
Szeretek esténként olvasni. (I like to read in the evenings.)
Beszélni
To speak or to talk. Language learning is all about communicating, and this verb is essential.
Beszélsz angolul? (Do you speak English?)
Dolgozni
To work. Whether you’re discussing your job or chores, you’ll use this verb quite frequently.
A kórházban dolgozom. (I work at the hospital.)
Pihenni
To rest. After all that work and study, you’ll want to know how to talk about taking it easy.
Jó pihenni a parkban. (It’s good to rest in the park.)
Játszani
To play. Goes hand in hand with sports, games, or playing an instrument.
#2D3AC”>A kutyámmal szeretek játszani. (I like to play with my dog.)
Hungarian verbs can appear daunting at first, especially considering the various conjugations and vowel harmonies that come into play. However, starting with these essential verbs and using them in context will significantly aid your language learning journey. Remember, practice is key to mastering Hungarian, so incorporate these verbs into your daily practice, and you’ll be speaking more naturally in no time!
