Learning Hungarian can be both a challenging and rewarding experience, especially if you are just starting out. Hungarian, known as “Magyar” to its native speakers, is a Uralic language and is considered one of the most unique languages in Europe due to its distinctive grammar and vocabulary. However, with the right approach and resources, you can make significant progress even at the A1 level, which is the beginner level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To help you get started, we have compiled a list of essential Hungarian words and phrases that every A1 level learner should know. These words will not only help you navigate basic conversations but will also give you a solid foundation for further learning.
Basic Greetings and Farewells
One of the first things you will need to know in any new language is how to greet people and say goodbye. Here are some basic Hungarian greetings and farewells:
– **Hello/Hi**: Szia (informal), Jó napot (formal, literally “Good day”)
– **Good morning**: Jó reggelt
– **Good evening**: Jó estét
– **Good night**: Jó éjszakát
– **Goodbye**: Viszlát or Viszontlátásra (more formal)
– **See you later**: Viszlát később
– **Bye**: Szia (informal, same as hello)
Introducing Yourself
When meeting new people, you will often need to introduce yourself and ask for others’ names. Here are some useful phrases:
– **My name is…**: A nevem…
– **What is your name?**: Mi a neved? (informal), Hogy hívják? (formal)
– **Nice to meet you**: Örvendek or Örülök, hogy megismertelek
– **How are you?**: Hogy vagy? (informal), Hogy van? (formal)
– **I am fine, thank you**: Jól vagyok, köszönöm
Basic Numbers
Understanding numbers is crucial for everyday tasks like shopping, telling time, and asking for directions. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Hungarian:
1. **One**: Egy
2. **Two**: Kettő or Két
3. **Three**: Három
4. **Four**: Négy
5. **Five**: Öt
6. **Six**: Hat
7. **Seven**: Hét
8. **Eight**: Nyolc
9. **Nine**: Kilenc
10. **Ten**: Tíz
Common Phrases
To make your conversations more natural and fluent, it’s useful to know some common phrases:
– **Please**: Kérem
– **Thank you**: Köszönöm
– **You’re welcome**: Szívesen
– **Yes**: Igen
– **No**: Nem
– **Excuse me**: Elnézést
– **I’m sorry**: Sajnálom
– **I don’t understand**: Nem értem
– **Do you speak English?**: Beszél angolul?
– **I speak a little Hungarian**: Beszélek egy kicsit magyarul
Days of the Week
Knowing the days of the week is essential for planning and scheduling. Here they are in Hungarian:
– **Monday**: Hétfő
– **Tuesday**: Kedd
– **Wednesday**: Szerda
– **Thursday**: Csütörtök
– **Friday**: Péntek
– **Saturday**: Szombat
– **Sunday**: Vasárnap
Months of the Year
Similarly, knowing the months of the year is useful for understanding dates and seasons:
– **January**: Január
– **February**: Február
– **March**: Március
– **April**: Április
– **May**: Május
– **June**: Június
– **July**: Július
– **August**: Augusztus
– **September**: Szeptember
– **October**: Október
– **November**: November
– **December**: December
Family Members
Talking about your family is a common topic in conversations. Here are the words for various family members:
– **Father**: Apa or Édesapa
– **Mother**: Anya or Édesanya
– **Brother**: Fivér or Öcs (younger brother)
– **Sister**: Nővér or Húg (younger sister)
– **Grandfather**: Nagyapa
– **Grandmother**: Nagymama
– **Uncle**: Nagybácsi
– **Aunt**: Nagynéni
Basic Colors
Colors are an essential part of everyday vocabulary. Here are some basic colors in Hungarian:
– **Red**: Piros
– **Blue**: Kék
– **Green**: Zöld
– **Yellow**: Sárga
– **Black**: Fekete
– **White**: Fehér
– **Gray**: Szürke
– **Brown**: Barna
– **Pink**: Rózsaszín
– **Purple**: Lila
Basic Verbs
Verbs are the action words that will help you describe what you or others are doing. Here are some basic verbs in their infinitive form:
– **To be**: Lenni
– **To have**: Van (this verb is irregular)
– **To do/make**: Csinálni
– **To go**: Menni
– **To come**: Jönni
– **To eat**: Enni
– **To drink**: Inni
– **To see**: Látni
– **To speak**: Beszélni
– **To write**: Írni
– **To read**: Olvasni
Common Questions
Being able to ask questions is crucial for communication. Here are some common question words and phrases:
– **What?**: Mi? or Mit? (when asking “What?” as the object)
– **Who?**: Ki?
– **Where?**: Hol?
– **When?**: Mikor?
– **Why?**: Miért?
– **How?**: Hogyan?
– **How much?**: Mennyibe kerül? (when asking about price)
– **Which?**: Melyik?
Common Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns and can help you give more details in your conversations. Here are some basic adjectives:
– **Big**: Nagy
– **Small**: Kicsi
– **Good**: Jó
– **Bad**: Rossz
– **Happy**: Boldog
– **Sad**: Szomorú
– **Hot**: Forró
– **Cold**: Hideg
– **Beautiful**: Szép
– **Ugly**: Csúnya
Basic Prepositions
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun and another word in the sentence. Here are some basic prepositions:
– **In**: Bent or Belül
– **On**: Rajta
– **Under**: Alatt
– **Next to**: Mellett
– **Behind**: Mögött
– **In front of**: Előtt
– **Between**: Között
– **With**: Val/Vel
– **Without**: Nélkül
– **About**: Ról/Ről
Basic Directions
Understanding directions is important for getting around in a new place. Here are some basic directional words:
– **Left**: Bal
– **Right**: Jobb
– **Straight**: Egyenesen
– **North**: Észak
– **South**: Dél
– **East**: Kelet
– **West**: Nyugat
Useful Phrases for Everyday Situations
Being able to handle everyday situations is crucial for anyone learning a new language. Here are some useful phrases for different scenarios:
– **How much does it cost?**: Mennyibe kerül?
– **Where is the bathroom?**: Hol van a mosdó?
– **I would like…**: Szeretnék…
– **Can I have the bill, please?**: Kérhetem a számlát?
– **I need help**: Segítségre van szükségem
– **What time is it?**: Mennyi az idő?
– **I am looking for…**: Keresem…
Conclusion
Learning Hungarian at the A1 level involves memorizing a variety of basic words and phrases that will help you navigate everyday situations. While Hungarian may seem challenging due to its unique structure and vocabulary, consistent practice and exposure will help you become more comfortable with the language. Start with these essential words and phrases, and gradually expand your vocabulary as you gain more confidence. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new word you learn is a step closer to fluency. Happy learning!
