For those of you who are easily amused you'll be delighted by one of your first discoveries about the Hungarian language... the word 'Szia', pronounced 'See ya', means hello, whilst 'hello' is very frequently used to mean 'goodbye'. Don't underestimate the fun you can have with this one! Plus try these phrases on for size...
Nem Ôø?rtek - I don't understand
Tilos a dohÔø?nyzÔø?s - Smoking is forbidden
Hol lehet jegyet vÔø?ltani? - Where can I buy tickets?
Jegy - Ticket
VÔø?z - Water
SÔø?r - Beer
Bor - Wine
MÔø?zeum - Museum
Posta - Post Office
Tudna segÔø?teni? - Could you help me?
BeszÔø?l maga angolul? - Do you speak English?
Hungarian, or Magyar as it is called by native speakers, is spoken by around fifteen million people, ten million of whom live in modern day Hungary with the majority of the rest living in neighbouring countries which were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This guide is unlikely to make you the fifteen million and oneth Hungarian speaker but hopefully it will help you get a shoe in when it comes to everyday situations like ordering food in shops and restaurants. If you're hell bent on reading Miklos Banffy in his native language then check out our services section for some schools who can help.