A few useful phrases in Hungarian
If you have some time in Budapest before or after your cruise here are a few useful phrases.
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Szia! How to pronounce it: See-yaw
What it means: Basically it means "hi!" but it can also mean goodbye. Double it up for a friendly "szia-szia" when you're leaving friends.
Hogy vagy? How to pronounce it: Haw-j Vah-j (j as in joke)
What it means: Literally "how are you?" Make sure you ask this only if you really want to know how the other person is as this question is likely to elicit a long, detailed explanation of everything happening in their life - good or bad.
Mennyi az idő? How to pronounce it: Man-yee aw-z id-err
What it means: 'What time is it?"
Kérek egy sört / bort / pálinkát. How to pronounce it: Keh-rack a-j (a as in apple, j as in joke) cher-t (Cher as in the singer) / bore-t / pah-lin-cart
What it means: "I'd like a beer / wine / pálinka." And that brings us to what is possibly THE most important word in the Hungarian language: pálinka. This is a Hungarian fruit brandy that comes in flavours like plum, honey, cherry, apricot etc. It's a potent spirit that you'll either love or hate, but no matter what you must try it at least once while in Budapest.
Egészségedre! How to pronounce it: Ag-esh-sheg-ad-reh
What it means: "Cheers!" Make sure you clink glasses and say this before taking the first sip of your alcoholic beverage. And make sure you look the person in the eye! It's considered rude not to in Hungary.
Jo étvágyat! How to pronounce it: Yoh-ehrt-vah-jot (y as in yolk, j as in joke)
What it means: "Bon appetit!" Waiters often say this when placing meals on the table, and if you're eating a meal with a Hungarian they'll definitely say this before starting to eat.
Tele vagyok. How to pronounce it: Te-le Vah-jork
What it means: "I'm full!" You'll probably say this more than once, while you're in Budapest especially because what we call street-food snacks like lángos will literally keep you full for the whole day. Also if you're trying things like Hungarian gulyás soup there's no way you'll be left hungry.
Finom volt! How to pronounce it: Fee-nom vault
What it means: "It was yummy!" You can say this to the waiter when he asks how your dish was, or just say "finom!" while eating as an exclamation of delight - "yum!"
Mennyibe kerül? How to pronounce it: Men-yee-beh ker-ool
What it means: "How much is it?"
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Szia! How to pronounce it: See-yaw
What it means: Basically it means "hi!" but it can also mean goodbye. Double it up for a friendly "szia-szia" when you're leaving friends.
Hogy vagy? How to pronounce it: Haw-j Vah-j (j as in joke)
What it means: Literally "how are you?" Make sure you ask this only if you really want to know how the other person is as this question is likely to elicit a long, detailed explanation of everything happening in their life - good or bad.
Mennyi az idő? How to pronounce it: Man-yee aw-z id-err
What it means: 'What time is it?"
Kérek egy sört / bort / pálinkát. How to pronounce it: Keh-rack a-j (a as in apple, j as in joke) cher-t (Cher as in the singer) / bore-t / pah-lin-cart
What it means: "I'd like a beer / wine / pálinka." And that brings us to what is possibly THE most important word in the Hungarian language: pálinka. This is a Hungarian fruit brandy that comes in flavours like plum, honey, cherry, apricot etc. It's a potent spirit that you'll either love or hate, but no matter what you must try it at least once while in Budapest.
Egészségedre! How to pronounce it: Ag-esh-sheg-ad-reh
What it means: "Cheers!" Make sure you clink glasses and say this before taking the first sip of your alcoholic beverage. And make sure you look the person in the eye! It's considered rude not to in Hungary.
Jo étvágyat! How to pronounce it: Yoh-ehrt-vah-jot (y as in yolk, j as in joke)
What it means: "Bon appetit!" Waiters often say this when placing meals on the table, and if you're eating a meal with a Hungarian they'll definitely say this before starting to eat.
Tele vagyok. How to pronounce it: Te-le Vah-jork
What it means: "I'm full!" You'll probably say this more than once, while you're in Budapest especially because what we call street-food snacks like lángos will literally keep you full for the whole day. Also if you're trying things like Hungarian gulyás soup there's no way you'll be left hungry.
Finom volt! How to pronounce it: Fee-nom vault
What it means: "It was yummy!" You can say this to the waiter when he asks how your dish was, or just say "finom!" while eating as an exclamation of delight - "yum!"
Mennyibe kerül? How to pronounce it: Men-yee-beh ker-ool
What it means: "How much is it?"
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