Learning Hungarian can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. As an intermediate learner, you already have a basic understanding of the language’s structure and vocabulary. Now, it’s time to expand your lexicon to enhance your conversational skills and comprehension. In this article, we will explore some essential Hungarian words and phrases that are crucial for intermediate speakers. These words will help you navigate various situations, understand more complex texts, and engage in richer conversations with native speakers.
Everyday Vocabulary
As an intermediate learner, you should be comfortable with basic vocabulary. Now, let’s delve into more nuanced words and phrases that you’ll encounter in daily life.
Actions and Activities
Understanding verbs and phrases related to everyday activities is essential. Here are some important words to know:
1. Vásárol (to shop) – “Vásárolni megyek a piacon.” (I’m going to shop at the market.)
2. Takarít (to clean) – “Minden szombaton takarítom a lakást.” (I clean the apartment every Saturday.)
3. Főz (to cook) – “Ma este magyar ételt főzök.” (I am cooking Hungarian food tonight.)
4. Dolgozik (to work) – “Két munkahelyen dolgozik.” (He/She works at two jobs.)
5. Olvas (to read) – “Szeretek regényeket olvasni.” (I like to read novels.)
Describing People and Things
Being able to describe people and objects accurately is crucial for effective communication. Here are some descriptive words:
1. Magas (tall) – “Ő nagyon magas.” (He/She is very tall.)
2. Alacsony (short) – “Az a fiú alacsony.” (That boy is short.)
3. Erős (strong) – “Erős férfi vagy.” (You are a strong man.)
4. Gyenge (weak) – “A kávé túl gyenge.” (The coffee is too weak.)
5. Fiatal (young) – “Fiatal vagyok.” (I am young.)
Conversational Phrases
To keep a conversation flowing smoothly, it’s important to know various phrases that can help you express your thoughts and understand others better.
Expressing Opinions
Sharing your opinions is a significant part of any conversation. Here are some useful phrases:
1. Szerintem (I think) – “Szerintem ez jó ötlet.” (I think this is a good idea.)
2. Úgy gondolom (I believe) – “Úgy gondolom, hogy igazad van.” (I believe you are right.)
3. Úgy érzem (I feel) – “Úgy érzem, hogy ez helyes.” (I feel that this is correct.)
4. Nekem tetszik (I like) – “Nekem tetszik az új film.” (I like the new movie.)
5. Nem értek egyet (I disagree) – “Sajnálom, de nem értek egyet.” (I’m sorry, but I disagree.)
Asking Questions
Questions are the backbone of any engaging conversation. Here are some important question phrases:
1. Miért? (Why?) – “Miért késel?” (Why are you late?)
2. Hogyan? (How?) – “Hogyan készíted ezt az ételt?” (How do you make this dish?)
3. Mikor? (When?) – “Mikor találkozunk?” (When are we meeting?)
4. Mennyibe kerül? (How much does it cost?) – “Mennyibe kerül ez a könyv?” (How much does this book cost?)
5. Hol? (Where?) – “Hol van a legközelebbi bank?” (Where is the nearest bank?)
Advanced Adjectives
Adjectives add depth to your descriptions. As an intermediate learner, you should start using more advanced adjectives to make your speech more vivid and precise.
1. Gyönyörű (beautiful) – “A naplemente gyönyörű volt.” (The sunset was beautiful.)
2. Bonyolult (complicated) – “Ez a feladat bonyolult.” (This task is complicated.)
3. Kényelmes (comfortable) – “Ez a szék nagyon kényelmes.” (This chair is very comfortable.)
4. Kedves (kind) – “Nagyon kedves vagy.” (You are very kind.)
5. Izgalmas (exciting) – “Az új könyv nagyon izgalmas.” (The new book is very exciting.)
Practical Nouns
Nouns are the building blocks of any language. Here are some practical nouns that will help you discuss a variety of topics more effectively.
Places
Being able to talk about different places will enhance your ability to describe your surroundings and experiences.
1. Étterem (restaurant) – “Hol van a legközelebbi étterem?” (Where is the nearest restaurant?)
2. Üzlet (store) – “Az üzlet hamarosan bezár.” (The store is closing soon.)
3. Park (park) – “Szeretek a parkban sétálni.” (I like to walk in the park.)
4. Kórház (hospital) – “A kórház itt van közel.” (The hospital is nearby.)
5. Iskola (school) – “Az iskola reggel nyolckor kezdődik.” (School starts at 8 AM.)
Objects
Knowing the names of everyday objects will help you describe your environment and daily activities more accurately.
1. Toll (pen) – “Van egy tollad?” (Do you have a pen?)
2. Telefon (phone) – “Hol a telefonom?” (Where is my phone?)
3. Számítógép (computer) – “A számítógépem lassú.” (My computer is slow.)
4. Könyv (book) – “Olvastad már ezt a könyvet?” (Have you read this book?)
5. Táska (bag) – “Hol van a táskám?” (Where is my bag?)
Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions can make your Hungarian sound more natural and fluent. Here are some common idioms that you can start using:
1. Esik az eső (It’s raining) – “Ma egész nap esik az eső.” (It’s raining all day today.)
2. Nem semmi (It’s something remarkable) – “Ez a film nem semmi.” (This movie is something remarkable.)
3. Rossz fát tesz a tűzre (To do something wrong) – “Ne tegyél rossz fát a tűzre!” (Don’t do something wrong!)
4. Meleg van (It’s hot) – “Nagyon meleg van ma.” (It’s very hot today.)
5. Jó étvágyat (Enjoy your meal) – “Jó étvágyat kívánok!” (Enjoy your meal!)
Numbers and Quantities
Being able to talk about numbers and quantities is essential for shopping, traveling, and many other daily activities.
1. Húsz (twenty) – “Húsz perc múlva indulunk.” (We leave in twenty minutes.)
2. Harminc (thirty) – “Harminc ember jött el.” (Thirty people showed up.)
3. Negyven (forty) – “Negyven éves vagyok.” (I am forty years old.)
4. Ötven (fifty) – “Ötven forintot fizettem.” (I paid fifty forints.)
5. Száz (hundred) – “Száz forint nem sok.” (A hundred forints is not much.)
Time and Dates
Being able to discuss time and dates will help you make plans and understand schedules better.
Days of the Week
1. Hétfő (Monday) – “Hétfőn találkozunk.” (We meet on Monday.)
2. Kedd (Tuesday) – “Kedden van a születésnapom.” (My birthday is on Tuesday.)
3. Szerda (Wednesday) – “Szerdán van a találkozó.” (The meeting is on Wednesday.)
4. Csütörtök (Thursday) – “Csütörtökön megyünk moziba.” (We are going to the cinema on Thursday.)
5. Péntek (Friday) – “Pénteken szabad vagyok.” (I am free on Friday.)
Months of the Year
1. Január (January) – “Január hideg hónap.” (January is a cold month.)
2. Február (February) – “Februárban sokat havazik.” (It snows a lot in February.)
3. Március (March) – “Márciusban tavaszodik.” (It starts to feel like spring in March.)
4. Április (April) – “Áprilisban esik az eső.” (It rains in April.)
5. Május (May) – “Májusban virágzanak a virágok.” (Flowers bloom in May.)
Connecting Words
Using connecting words will help you form more complex sentences and express your thoughts more clearly.
1. És (and) – “Ő tanár és író.” (He/She is a teacher and writer.)
2. De (but) – “Szeretnék menni, de nincs időm.” (I would like to go, but I don’t have time.)
3. Vagy (or) – “Teát vagy kávét kérsz?” (Would you like tea or coffee?)
4. Mert (because) – “Nem tudok elmenni, mert beteg vagyok.” (I can’t go because I am sick.)
5. Ha (if) – “Ha esik, otthon maradok.” (If it rains, I will stay home.)
Practice Makes Perfect
Knowing these intermediate-level Hungarian words will significantly improve your ability to communicate in various contexts. However, the key to mastering them is consistent practice. Here are some tips to help you incorporate these words into your daily routine:
Engage in Conversations
Try to use these words and phrases in your conversations with native speakers or fellow learners. Practice makes perfect, and the more you use the words, the more natural they will become.
Read and Write
Reading Hungarian books, articles, and newspapers will expose you to new vocabulary and contexts. Try to write essays or short stories using the new words you’ve learned. This will help reinforce your understanding and retention.
Watch Hungarian Media
Watching Hungarian movies, TV shows, and listening to Hungarian music or podcasts can also be very beneficial. Pay attention to how the words are used in different contexts and try to mimic the pronunciation and intonation.
Flashcards and Apps
Using flashcards and language learning apps can be a great way to review and memorize new vocabulary. Set aside a few minutes each day to go through your flashcards and test yourself.
Conclusion
Expanding your vocabulary is a crucial step in becoming proficient in Hungarian. By learning these intermediate-level words and phrases, you will be better equipped to understand and participate in more complex conversations. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new word you learn brings you one step closer to fluency. Keep practicing, stay motivated, and enjoy the process of learning this beautiful language!
