Magyar (MAHD-yar): n. Hungarian. The official language of Hungary. Like the Rubik’s cube, has 50 gazillion permutations. Synonym: mind-boggling.
In Hungary when something seems impossible they say it’s “an iron ring made out of wood.” I’m convinced that the Hungarian language is an iron ring made out of a redwood forest. Forget the term “language barrier.” The difference between English and Hungarian is more like the Grand Canyon. Rosetta Stone doesn’t even offer Hungarian. If they did, they’d have to give their money back.
photo by Lennart Guillet
One reason Hungarian is so difficult is that few Hungarian words have made their way into English. In fact, besides paprika and goulash, the English language has “borrowed” little from Hungarian. When words do sound the same in English and Hungarian, they rarely mean the same thing. Linguists call these “false friends.” Take sure and sör, for example. In Hungarian, sör (beer) sounds just like sure. No difference. When I go out with my Hungarian friend Imre to a pub, he says, “Sör?” and I answer, “Sure.” It makes us laugh.
Some Hungarian words are so long they look like grand prize winners in a tongue twister tournament. “Bye” is viszontlátásra, “plane” is repülőgép, “car” is személygépkocsi, and “mall” is bevásárlóközpont. Apparently in the 19th- century, there was a movement to reform the Magyar tongue. One of the big reformers shortened many of the words. I’d hate to guess what they were originally.
After years of living in Budapest, I’ve gotten used to waiters and store clerks laughing at me when I attempt to speak the language. Not long after I moved to Budapest I walked into a crystal store with my friend Eszter. I found some water glasses that I liked and took them to the cashier.
“Szeretlek,” I said, placing the glasses on the counter. I would like these.
The woman started giggling.
I must have said it incorrectly. I tried again, repeating it slower. “Szer-et-lek.”
The woman’s giggles turned to laughter. She called to another lady behind the curtain who came out smiling. The first woman explained what happened. Then they both started cracking up.
As my face turned red, Eszter came on over. Through her snickers, the first sales lady explained to her what happened.
I looked at Eszter. “Bad?” I said, cringing.
“No,” she replied. “You just said the wrong word. Szeretnék means I would like. You said szeretlek.”
“What does that mean?”
“I love you.”
Great post! All I could do was laugh, because I have had these experiences as well. I am married to a Hungarian-10 yrs in January- and have been learning Hungarian since the beginning. I have made many mistakes just like this along the way. My Mother-in-law has to be the most patient person in the world for putting up with many of my public blunders over the years. Hungarian is truly a hard language to conquer, even just the basics.
haha yeah, hungarian is not the easiest language… if i were a foreigner id never start learning it because it is truly_very_hard.
all respect to those who try it though
Good one !!!…My experience with Hungarian is the same…I was able to learn one whole sentence after many glasses of whiskey…and if you know my teachers it wasn’t the most polite sentence
Love this! I come from a long line of language slaughterers and I can totally relate!
So glad you enjoyed the piece, Mary! Thanks!
I want to see you translate, “I’m taking the car to the mall. Bye!”
I hope English is easier for the Hungarians to learn. I can see your theatre background coming in handy! This was so interesting, Phil!! You know how to educate in such a fun, engaging way!
Hi! I’m Hungarian, I can assure you that it is easier for us to learn English then for anyone to learn hungarian. Here is your sentence in hungarian: Elviszem a személygépkocsit a bevásárlóközpontba. Viszontlátásra! But a Hungarian would never say it like that, I would say: Elviszem a kocsit/autót a plázába. Szia! It means the same, just with shorter words.
hahha… spreading the love i see…
Great job! I have had a few interesting situations with the language myself, but I could never tell it like you. Keep it coming!!!!
I’m sure you’ve had plenty of interesting experiences with the language, Curry. Thanks for the kind words!
Szia~ We are an American family that has been in Papa, Hungary for about 2 months now. (I was in Budapest yesterday!) It is SUCH a hard language, but it has been fun to learn…. I’m glad I stumbled onto your blog~ Cant wait to read more!
Thanks, Krystal! So glad you’re enjoying the blog!
Hey Phil! My mothers maiden name is Magyar. From Budapest.
Hey! Nice to read about these experiences. I’m Hungarian, living in Budapest since I was born, and I have some American friends now. It’s really interesting to see my home from another view, can’t wait to read more!
“I’m taking the car to the mall. Bye!”
How we should say it: “Elviszem a személgépkocsit a bevásárlóközpontba. Viszontlátásra!”
How we really say it: “Elviszem a kocsit a plázába. Szia!”
Hi, I liked a lot your story. I grow up in a small town in Romania called Targu Mures where half of the population are Hungarian and half Romanians. My dad speaks fluently Hungarian but my mom not. He didn’t bother to teach us to much the language but I learn the basics, was hard. I know how to count, to ask how much it costs and ask for water. Its a hard language. I am impressed that you are trying so hard to learn it.
I am so happy to find this page. I had a very hard time to learn English. I still can’t say “Th” and the “W”. My children were born in Canada & have lots of fun with my words like : vat, vere, vhy. So you are very brave to learn our hard but beautiful language. From now on I will looking for your funny stories.
Hi Phil! I loved your post and your blog is great! I’m also an American with a blog about Budapest, and wrote about learning Hungarian here, if you’re interested… http://adriknows.com/2011/11/16/how-i-learned-hungarian/ Looking forward to reading more! Adri
It’s hard, yes, it’s probably not the most useful either, unless you have Hungarian relative, friend or businesses. Still, there are (and were) people who learned to speak Hungarian, and never regretted it. Here are some nice quotes:
George Bernard Shaw : “After studying the Hungarian language for years, I can confidently conclude that had Hungarian been my mother tongue, it would have been more precious. Simply because through this extraordinary, ancient and powerful language it is possible to precisely describe the tiniest differences and the most secretive tremors of emotions.”
Berglund : „Today, that I have some idea about the structure of language, it is my opinion, that the Hungarian language is the summary product of human logic.”
Jakob Grimm the fabulist said that “Hungarian language is logical and has a perfect structure and surpasses every other language”.
So if you have too much free time to kill, just learn Hungarian, it’s pure fun!
I am hungarian and living in the states. My learning language experience was with the words of ‘puszi’ . I was taking care of a little half Hungarian boy and I often asked him to give me a puszi in public. I guess you know what English word I am thinking about. It took me 3 months when I realized I shouldn’t use that Hungarian word in public. lol
Ha Ha. My Hungarian girlfriend would say it to her Mother on the phone. Very funny the first few times. I think an “n” added to it is the other one.
Hi. That’s a nice post.
Hi Phil, You have made my day! I save the best for last: at the end of every working day I read one of Your posts as treats. I wish it doesn’t end!
“Viszontlátásra” is not a long word. It about means that: “I wish that we will meet each other in the future” or “I would like to see you in the future.” It’s a short expression isn’t it?