As with any language, idioms are an essential part of understanding and engaging in conversations like a native speaker. Hungarian, a language known for its complexity and unique vocabulary, has its fair share of idiomatic expressions that may seem obscure to learners at first glance. This article will explore some of the most colorful Hungarian idioms, helping you to add a little spice to your language skills.

Kutya baja translates literally to “dog’s trouble,” this idiom equates to the English expression “no problem at all” or “there’s nothing wrong.” It is used to dismiss concerns or to suggest that an issue is not as serious as it might seem.
Nem kell aggódnod, kutya baja nincs.

Lóvéra tenni a kezét is akin to the English idiom “to lay one’s hands on some money.” It means to obtain money, sometimes by luck or unexpectedly.
Sikerült lóvéra tenni a kezét, és most új televíziót vásárolhat.

Füle botját sem mozdítja, meaning “He/She doesn’t even move a finger,” is used when someone is extremely lazy or not doing anything to help.
Végig a kanapén feküdt és füle botját sem mozdítja, miközben mi takarítunk.

Nyelve hét nyelven énekel can be translated as “His/Her tongue sings in seven languages,” describing someone who is multilingual or has a talent for learning languages quickly.
Anya mindig büszke volt rá, mert már gyerekkorában nyelve hét nyelven énekelt.

Tiszta vizet öntenek a pohárba literally means “to pour clear water into the glass,” which is similar to the English idiom “to make something clear” or “to clarify something.”
Végre tiszta vizet öntött a pohárba, és mindenki megértette a helyzetet.

Több lábon áll translates as “stands on more legs,” which is equivalent to the English saying “to have more than one string to your bow.” It refers to having multiple skills or income sources.
Okos döntés volt, mert így több lábon áll.

Orrot csíp can be interpreted as “pinches noses,” and it means something smells foul or pungent, often used metaphorically.
Ebben a helyzetben valami orrot csíp, jobban utánajárunk.

Zsebre tesz meaning “to put into the pocket,” refers to easily surpassing someone in skill or winning against them with ease.
A versenyen mindenkit zsebre tett és ő lett az első.

Felhőtlen az ég translates to “the sky is cloudless,” used in a metaphorical sense to describe a situation that is without worries or problems.
Most, hogy rendeződtek a dolgok, felhőtlen az ég.

Halottnak a csók meaning “a kiss to the dead,” suggests that something is a futile effort or comes too late to be of any use.
Már nem lehet mit tenni, az csak halottnak a csók volna.

Memorizing Hungarian idioms may not seem necessary to communicate on a basic level, but understanding and using them can elevate your language skills and help you understand the culture and humor behind the language. These expressions give you a more profound insight into the minds and spirits of Hungarian speakers and can be the key to sounding more like a native.