Our personal impression of the peculiarities of communication in the capital of Hungary Budapest in different languages.
What is the language in Budapest?
In Budapest, the official language is Hungarian, which is completely incomprehensible to our tourists. Hungarian is the only modern major European language that is not of Indo-European origin. It is part of the Finno-Ugric family of languages and has very distant similarities with the Finnish and Estonian languages. Hungarian has nothing in common with either English or Spanish. The only positive thing is that Hungarian words are written in Latin, so geographical signs can be read. But it will be difficult to say them out loud. The Hungarian language is very difficult to understand by ear. It contains many sounds and letters that are unusual for us, and the words are very long. Listening to live Hungarian speech, sometimes it’s not even clear what letter the word begins with…
Inscriptions in Hungarian on the doors of the bakery. You can guess what is written here about the opening hours of the establishment. But all the words are unfamiliar.
Do they speak English in Hungary?
Everything is clear with the Russian language. What about English? This is an international language that can be freely spoken in the United Arab Emirates, Denmark and many other countries of the world. As Masha Pasha learned from personal experience, English is still very difficult in Hungary. It is spoken poorly only in some tourist areas of Budapest and in hotels. Ordinary passers-by on the street practically do not speak it. In general, MashaPasha.com has the impression that the best foreign language in Hungary is German (thanks to lower prices, many Germans and Austrians come to Hungary for shopping and holidays), but this also applies exclusively to hotels and popular tourist destinations. places In the Hungarian hinterland and not very popular tourist places, you will find yourself face to face with the incomprehensible Hungarian language.
Menu of one of the restaurants in Budapest. Names of dishes in Hungarian and English
How then to communicate in Budapest? Sign language helps. Plus, it would be nice to learn at least a couple dozen Hungarian words. At least you can ask a question, and then they will explain it to you with gestures. It is advisable to have a printed map with you, then they can show you the place you want to go to. Printed tourist map of Budapest is available on our website.
Here is a small selection of Hungarian words that you may find useful:
Hello – Servus! Sia
Good afternoon – Yoo napot kiwanok
Thank you, everything is fine – Kyooseonyoom, minden randben wang
Goodbye – Visontlaataashra
Please – Ladien Oyan Kadvesh
Bon appetit – ergeshegedre
What is your name? — Hod hiivyayak oyont?
Do you speak Russian? – Baseeil orosul?
I (don’t) understand you – (Nam) eeirtem oyont
Can you help me? – Nem tudna nekem shegiiteni?
Okay – Yooo. Randban van
Where is… – Hol van…
How to get through… – Khodyan yutok el…
Show me on the map – Teshsheeik megmutatni a teeirkeeypen
How much does it cost… – Mannybe careul…
How much do I have to pay? – Mannite physatek?
I want to visit… – Seretneem magneezny…
Street – Utsa
