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5 Hungarian customs that are difficult for foreigners to get used to

Adjusting to life in Hungary can be a challenge for many foreigners, particularly when it comes to understanding Hungarian customs that may seem unfamiliar. From unique social etiquette to distinct culinary traditions, these customs play a significant role in daily life and interactions. Here, we explore five Hungarian customs that foreigners might find challenging to get used to.

A language that just does not make sense

Hungarian is a complex language that poses challenges due to its intricate grammar, extensive vocabulary, and unique pronunciation. This complexity can make it difficult for non-native speakers to achieve fluency, often leading to frustration and misunderstandings when communicating in everyday situations. The Hungarian language is unique primarily because of its origins in the Finno-Ugric branch of the Uralic language family. Therefore it may be tricky to find similarities between Hungarian and your mother language.

Different name order

In Hungary, the name order is distinctively different from many Western cultures, as Hungarian custom dictates that the family name precedes the given name. For example, János Kovács is Kovács János in Hungary. This naming convention can lead to confusion for foreigners who are accustomed to the Western format of given names first. However, most Hungarians keep this in mind and swap their names when introducing themselves to others.

Formal and informal

The distinction between formal and informal speech is another aspect of Hungarian customs that may be challenging for newcomers. Hungarians typically use formal titles and last names when addressing someone they do not know well or in professional settings, while friends and family may use first names or nicknames. This shift in language formality can be subtle yet significant in social interactions. In addition, Hungarians use formal speech, similar to using v-form in Romance languages. Thus, formal speaking goes beyond addressing someone by formal titles, it has its own grammatical rules as well.

Toasting rituals

Toasting rituals are an important part of Hungarian dining etiquette. When raising a glass, it is customary to make eye contact and say “egészségedre,” which means “to your health.” Interestingly, it is considered bad luck to clink glasses with beer; this tradition highlights the cultural significance placed on specific customs during social gatherings. This Hungarian custom has a historical background, about which you can learn more HERE.

toasting in Hungary — Photo: depositphotos.com

Showering before bathing

Hungarian baths are an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage, reflecting centuries of tradition and social customs. The practice of bathing in thermal waters dates back to Roman times, and today, Hungary is renowned for its numerous thermal baths, many of which are located in Budapest. In public baths, a Hungarian custom requires patrons to shower before entering the bathing areas. This practice is rooted in hygiene and respect for communal spaces, ensuring that everyone enjoys a clean and pleasant environment while relaxing in the thermal waters that Hungary is famous for.

széchenyi thermal bath — The Széchenyi Thermal Bath.
Source: szechenyibath.hu

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

December 17, 2024

Jürgen Klopp masters the Hungarian language and speaks with perfect pronunciation – VIDEO

Jürgen Klopp has traded the roar of the stadium for the spotlight of a Christmas campaign. As the face of Media Markt’s multilingual festive adverts, Klopp proves that his talents extend far beyond football, mastering eleven languages with the same determination that made him a legend in the game.

Jürgen Klopp accepted the new challenge

As Promotions reports, Jürgen Klopp, renowned for his successful managerial stints at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC, has ventured into a unique endeavour as the first international brand ambassador for Media Markt. Known for his passionate coaching and leadership, Klopp has lent his charisma to the brand’s Christmas campaign across eleven countries, including Hungary. This role required him to film commercials in eleven languages, a feat that showcased his remarkable dedication and adaptability.

Notably, Klopp mastered several Hungarian phrases for the advertisement, impressing viewers with his near-flawless pronunciation of one of the world’s most challenging languages. Michael Schuld, Head of Marketing at Media Markt Saturn, praised Klopp’s distinctive personality and ability to inspire excellence, qualities that align perfectly with the brand’s ethos. As a trusted and respected figure, Klopp’s involvement strengthens Media Markt’s connection with audiences globally.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

December 10, 2024

This Hungarian word has become known and used worldwide!

Hungarian words rarely venture into the global lexicon, but when they do, they carry rich tales of history and innovation. These rare linguistic travellers reflect Hungary’s unique cultural imprint, leaving a lasting impression far beyond its borders.

Hungarian words that conquered the world

The Hungarian language, known for its rich and unique vocabulary, has adopted numerous foreign words over the centuries. However, the reverse is far less common, with relatively few Hungarian words finding their way into global usage, according to Promotions. One notable exception is the Hungarian word kocsi, which originates from the village of Kocs in Komárom-Esztergom County. This term, referring to a coach or carriage, has been widely adopted by numerous languages, including Slovak (koc), Polish (kocz), Spanish (coche), German (Kutsche), and English (coach). It stands as a rare example of Hungarian linguistic influence worldwide.

Another fascinating example involves Hungarian contributions to English vocabulary. The English phrase “itsy-bitsy” traces back to the Hungarian word ici-pici, likely popularised in America by a Hungarian-born film director. Moreover, the term biro, commonly used in British English to refer to a ballpoint pen, stems from László József Bíró, the Hungarian inventor who patented the device in 1938. Adopted by the British government for its utility in high-altitude aircraft, the biro gained widespread recognition, underscoring Hungary’s subtle yet impactful imprint on global lexicons.

ballpoint pen Hungarian invention — Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/meeting-plan-office-note-time-2189801/

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

November 19, 2024

Slovak PM Fico may sacrifice his good relations with PM Orbán to keep his governing coalition

Robert Fico Viktor Orbán new ally oil transit citizenship agreement

Previously, we reported on a leaked language-use bill drafted by Slovakia’s Ministry of Culture, under the leadership of the far-right nationalist SNS party. This proposed legislation has raised concerns among local Hungarians, as it could potentially limit their ability to use their mother tongue in everyday situations—such as at post offices or on public transport, including buses, trams, and trains. While Hungarian government officials have sought to reassure the public, Euronews speculates that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico may prioritise maintaining his governing coalition over his positive relationship with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The end of Orbán and Fico’s friendship?

As Euronews reports, on Thursday, the two nations’ foreign ministers held a joint press conference, during which they stressed that the new Slovak bill is intended to strengthen the use of the Slovak language and is not designed to curtail the rights of minority languages.

Balázs Tárnok, a National University of Public Service researcher, warned that the bill could significantly reduce the rights of minorities to use their languages. Furthermore, the culture ministry drafting the bill is in the hands of the SNS party, which has consequently weak results in polls. Therefore, Tárnok suggests that the party may be attempting to attract attention and assert its influence through such controversial measures.

According to Euronews, Hungarians in Slovakia are hopeful that the SNS’s coalition partners will moderate the anti-minority elements of the bill.

PM Orbán and Fico have maintained a positive relationship, with rumours suggesting that Orbán even supported Fico’s anti-migration campaign by redirecting illegal migrants to the Slovak-Hungarian border. This move reportedly contributed to many ethnic Hungarians voting for Fico, despite his earlier anti-Hungarian policies in the 2010s. However, if Fico and his party decide to oppose the new SNS bill, they risk endangering their coalition’s stability.

New Slovak law would ban Hungarian language use on trains, buses, trams, and post offices — Orbán and Fico embrace in Budapest. Will their friendship survive the proposed language law? Photo: FB/Orbán

Many believe that the Slovak political elite is using this issue to divert attention from the country’s economic challenges.

Hungary-Slovakia cooperation: Strategic and friendly, says speaker Kövér

Hungarian-Slovak relations remain strategic and friendly, László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, stated following a meeting with Peter Žiga, head of Slovakia’s National Council, on Friday evening. According to the Hungarian News Agency, the two leaders discussed shared challenges and the strong ties between their nations.

As well as history and geography, Kövér said the challenges of the current era had put the two countries on a parallel path.

He noted that Slovakia was regularly Hungary’s second- or third-biggest trade partner, adding that cross-border economic transactions had intensified and been more focused on shared interests and goals.

Slovak PM Fico may sacrifice his good relations with PM Orbán — Photo: MTI

He said the sides had discussed international developments as well as bilateral relations. The sides agreed that the shift in power after the European Parliament elections and change in leadership at the White House would improve Hungary and Slovakia’s ability to enforce their interests, he said. Both countries want to see an end to the war in Ukraine and those political changes on the international stage are likely to “bring us closer to the peace we hope for”, he added.

After Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Visegrád Group in January, Kövér said cooperation between V4 parliaments would be stepped up. “We can naturally rely on the cooperation of our Slovak partners in this,” he added.

Ziga said the two countries’ strong ties were the result of common interests.

He added that several bilateral issues had been discussed at the meeting, including the cooperation of the national assemblies. He said he had informed Kövér in October about the establishment of a Slovak-Hungarian friendship group in the Slovak parliament.

He acknowledged Hungary’s involvement in policing Slovak airspace.

Read also:

New Slovak bill would ban Hungarian language use on trains, buses, trams, and post offices – read more HERE
Slovakia assures Hungary that the new Slovak language law will not curtail Hungarian minority rights

November 17, 2024

According to FM Szijjártó, there is no threat to Hungarian minority language rights in Slovakia

Dialogue between Hungary and Slovakia on Slovakia’s planned language law is constant at every level, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said on Thursday, adding that Bratislava had made it clear that it does not want to restrict minority language use.

The policy for Hungarian communities abroad is one of the heartfelt priorities of Hungary’s foreign policy, Szijjártó told a joint press conference with Slovak counterpart Juraj Blanár, according to a ministry statement. He added that the government attached great importance to the fate of Slovakia’s ethnic Hungarian community.

Concerning Slovakia’s planned state language law, Szijjártó said the country’s most senior officials had made it clear “that they do not wish to restrict minority language-use rights”. He hailed bilateral relations as a “success story”, noting that Slovakia has become Hungary’s second most important trading partner, with annual trade turnover having stabilised around 15 billion euros.

He welcomed that the two countries now have 40 border crossing points compared with just 22 in 2010. Szijjártó said Hungary and Slovakia ensured each other’s “physical, energy and economic security”. As regards physical security, he said the two countries helped each other combat illegal migration, and Hungary and Czechia patrol Slovakia’s airspace.

“In terms of energy supply, we have shared interests when it comes to the purchase of crude oil and natural gas,” Szijjártó said. “We’ve made it clear that we don’t want to cut off deliveries from the east because … that would gravely endanger both countries’ energy supply.” He also said that while many experts had thought it unnecessary to build the natural gas interconnector linking Hungary and Slovakia, the strategic importance of connecting the two countries’ energy grids “quickly became clear”. Szijjártó also highlighted the role of Slovak firms in the upgrade of Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said the two governments are preparing another agreement on the development of cross-border infrastructure, including the construction of new bridges, roads and rail links.

On another subject, he said the outcome of the US presidential election had brought about a “completely new political reality”, and there was “a greater chance than ever before for peace to return to central Europe”. He also said that Hungarian-Slovak cooperation based on mutual respect was ensured with “patriotic governments in power on both sides of the Danube”. In response to a question, Szijjártó slammed the European left’s handling of Olivér Várhelyi’s candidacy for the post of EU health commissioner as “pathetic political theatre”.

“Olivér Várhelyi did an excellent job at his confirmation hearing, and it is solely for petty political reasons that the European left is messing around with the Hungarian commissioner candidate,” Szijjártó said. “Unfortunately this phenomenon isn’t anything new, as the left joined forces in excluding the Patriots for Europe group from any leadership positions in the European Parliament.”

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November 14, 2024

Slovakia assures Hungary that the new Slovak language law will not curtail Hungarian minority rights

Hungary Assured New Slovak Language Law Won't Limit Hungarian Minority Rights

Slovakia’s parliamentary speaker has “clearly reaffirmed” that a planned new language law will not restrict national minorities’ right to use their mother tongue, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said in Bratislava on Monday.

As we wrote earlier, the New Slovak bill would ban Hungarian language use on trains, buses, trams, and post offices, details HERE.

According to a ministry statement, Szijjártó said after talks with Slovak parliamentary speaker Peter Ziga that Hungary’s government attaches great importance to the fate of ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia. Therefore, the government welcomes Slovakia’s view of the ethnic Hungarian community as an asset in advancing bilateral relations, he added.

“I received clear confirmation today from the speaker that the planned new language law regulation won’t endanger the right of national minorities on Slovakia’s territory to use their mother tongue,” Szijjártó said. He pointed out that he has worked together with Ziga for eight years and even considered him a friend, adding that he “cannot remember a single time when something didn’t pan out the way he said it would”.

Szijjártó said he and Ziga had agreed to stay in contact regarding any legislative process concerning language regulations. “So if either of us perceives a problem … we will talk promptly and take steps together,” he said.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said cooperation between Hungary and Slovakia was the most successful it had ever been. He noted the contributions to each other’s physical and energy supply security, the Hungarian air force’s help in policing Slovakia’s airspace, and bilateral cooperation in the supply of crude oil.

“We are prepared to develop our ties further and to build more bridges over the Danube and the Ipoly,” he said.

Ziga said neither the Slovak government nor parliament wanted to change the status quo regarding national minority rights.

Instead, he said, they wanted to place even greater emphasis on improving living standards of ethnic Hungarians in southern Slovakia, mainly when it came to transport infrastructure.

Ziga underlined that the language bill’s text had yet to be finalised and would be subject to inter-ministry and government consultations before it was put to a vote in parliament.

November 11, 2024

New Slovak bill would ban Hungarian language use on trains, buses, trams, and post offices

Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians live in Slovakia, a former territory of the Kingdom of Hungary, despite the numerous initiatives and legislation milestones that aimed to accelerate their assimilation. A new bill leaked by a Hungarian media outlet in Slovakia would ban Hungarian language use in Slovakia on trains and postal offices. Such a measure would be a considerable setback concerning minority rights in the EU member state.

Slovak government members made promises before

Napunk.sk, a Hungarian media outlet in Slovakia, acquired a draft of a Slovak language use bill made by the Slovak Cultural Ministry. The initiative would restrict Hungarian language use in the country.

According to Napunk, Martina Šimkovičová, the cultural minister of Slovakia nominated by the Slovak far-right nationalist SNS party, would introduce additional restrictions concerning minority language use in Slovakia. News about the planned modifications first emerged in October. Šimkovičová said the amendments would not have an anti-minority effect, so minorities should not be concerned because of the initiative.

Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó also shared a statement then that his Slovak counterpart, Juraj Blanár, assured him that the new bill would not affect the language use of the minorities. The reason for and the aim of these new language regulations does not affect the representation and use of minority languages in any way, Blanár told Szijjártó in October. “So this thinking didn’t start because of the minority languages and isn’t aimed against them”, he added.

New language law would ban Hungarian language use on trains, buses, post offices

However, the document Napunk acquired contradicts both Šimkovičová’s and Blanár’s statements.

The worst part is that individuals and companies could be fined for breaching the law, and the minimum fine would be increased 20-fold. János Fiala-Butora, a human rights expert, said the bill is something experts warned the Slovak government against.

The bill prescribes that all memorial plaques, inscriptions, and ads should contain the Slovakian version with bigger letters in the first place. There was no such measure before. In Hungarian settlements, the name of the settlement was written in Hungarian in the first place.

Furthermore, you will not be able to use Hungarian in post offices and public transport. Instead, Slovak will be compulsory.

Higher fines and a setback

The new bill would increase the language use fines drastically. In the case of companies, the lowest limit of the penalty will be EUR 1,000, instead of EUR 50. The maximum would rise from EUR 2,500 to EUR 15,000.

Mr Fiala-Butora believes the modification would be a setback to the 1990s and it even has measures more severe than the 1995 language use law introduced by the Mečiar government, a cabinet that was dedicated to being anti-Hungarian.

Szijjártó hoped for the best

FM Szijjártó said in October that the Hungarian government monitored the possible amendments to the Slovak language law and expects no setbacks concerning minority rights. He also said they started professional consultations on it.

“… usually it’s not the goals but rather the execution that determines the outcome, so we agreed to continue consulting as the bill progresses so as to avoid an aspect in the law that could have a negative effect on the use of the Hungarian language”, Szijjártó said then. He noted that Slovakia’s government has an ethnic Hungarian minority commissioner, Ákos Horony, who is in constant talks with the culture ministry, which is in charge of the bill.

Szijjártó highlighted there was a mutual trust between the Hungarian and the new Slovak government led by Orbán’s new European ally, Robert Fico.

Read also:

Slovakia terminates decades-old citizenship agreement with Hungary – read more HERE
Bear crosses the Danube from Slovakia, now feared in Hungary

November 7, 2024

Hungary’s foreign minister addresses Slovakia’s language law: protecting ethnic minorities amid rising tensions

Hungary’s government has so far taken all the necessary steps in connection with Slovakia’s new language law, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Budapest on Monday, adding that the government would continue to work to ensure that the law has no negative impact on ethnic Hungarians.

Szijjártó talks about Slovakia’s language law

Speaking at a hearing of parliament’s national cohesion committee, Szijjártó noted that in 2015, Ukraine curbed the ethnic Hungarian minority’s right to the use of its mother tongue.

“And we are also hearing reports of the amendment of the language law in Slovakia, so we started professional consultations on it on time,” he said.

Szijjártó said he was in constant contact with Juraj Blanar, his Slovak counterpart, on a number of issues, including the language law. “He told me that the reason for and the aim of these new language regulations does not affect the representation and use of minority languages in any way,” Szijjártó said. “So this thinking didn’t start because of the minority languages and isn’t aimed against them.”

He said Blanar had told him that the aim was to protect the Slovak language from “external influences that arise from global changes enabling an increasingly rapid flow of information”.

“If that’s the aim, then it’s reassuring,” Szijjártó said. “But usually it’s not the goals but rather the execution that determines the outcome, so we agreed to continue consulting as the bill progresses so as to avoid an aspect in the law that could have a negative effect on the use of the Hungarian language.”

He noted that Slovakia’s government has an ethnic Hungarian minority commissioner, Ákos Horony, who is in constant talks with the culture ministry, which is in charge of the bill.

He said the mutual trust between Hungary and Slovakia provided a sound basis for avoiding a repeat of what happened in the case of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine when it comes to the Slovak language law.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said the Hungarian government was doing all it could to ensure that Hungarian communities beyond the border can live in their place of birth.

Szijjártó said policy for Hungarians beyond the border was at the heart of Hungary’s foreign policy, which was natural given that “Hungary’s borders do not coincide with the borders of the nation”.

He said the survival of ethnic Hungarians beyond the border meant the enforcement of minority rights, a guarantee of unhindered contact between ethnic communities and the motherland as well as constant economic support for Hungarians beyond the border.

“Overall I can say that our relations with neighbouring countries are better now than they were at the beginning of the year,” the minister said. “Unfortunately this isn’t the case with each country, but overall I would say this is a realistic assessment.”

Szijjártó said the Hungarian government is supporting 61,303 ethnic Hungarian businesses this year. The 222.1 billion forints spent on economic development schemes in ethnic Hungarian communities since 2014 has generated 431.6 billion forints’ (EUR 1.1bn) worth of investments, the minister said.

He said it was crucial for Hungary’s neighbouring countries to join the Schengen area, and welcomed that 35 border crossing points have been opened since 2010, with ten more set to open between now and 2026.

Szijjártó said that among the neighbouring ethnic Hungarian communities, Vojvodina Hungarians enjoyed the most rights and received the fairest treatment by the Serbian government.

The minister also mentioned the scholarship programmes offered to Hungarians beyond the border, and noted that the government has allocated hundreds of millions of forints towards cultural programmes and the preservation of ethnic Hungarian monuments in recent years.

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October 28, 2024

Everybody cherishes the American guy who ordered in Hungarian! – VIDEO

Everybody cherishes the American guy who ordered in Hungarian (Copy)

Almost everybody agrees that the Hungarian language is not among the easiest ones. As a result, most foreigners do not even try to learn more than some words and phrases like “Köszönöm!” (“Thank you!”) and “Szia” (“Hi”). But not this American guy. He ordered a complex menu at a Burger King Drive Thru in Hungarian and posted a TikTok video about it, which went viral soon after.

Learning Hungarian is challenging

Do you remember the British girl who broke down when she heard Hungarian? We wrote about her in January. Her task was to guess languages after hearing a few sentences or counting. An English participant of the show had to guess Hungarian, but the counting from 1 to 5 in Hungarian shocked her. Click HERE to read the full story and check out the funny video.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Hungarian is one of the most challenging languages in the world. Although a British tourist can easily deduct and use some Spanish words on a holiday in Spain or do the same in Italy, in Hungary, it is almost impossible to comprehend even the basics of our language.

Another consequence of the uniqueness of our language is that it is hard for us to learn another language because no language is similar to ours. A Romanian can easily grasp French, Spanish or Italian, while Slovaks can make themselves understood by a Polish, a Russian or a Czech individual. Hungarians master languages harder and that is probably why the foreign language knowledge level is one of the lowest in Europe in Hungary.

American guy ordered in Hungarian

Recently, an American guy blew up the internet with his Hungarian knowledge which made him able to order at a Burger King Drive Thru. Ordering by leaning out from a car window while there is regularly a constant traffic noise in the background is not easy even if you speak the language fluently. There are many misunderstandings generating extra questions you cannot prepare for. You do not only have to speak correctly and pronounce the word perfectly but also use a good intonation, etc. Therefore, most foreigners do not even try to place their orders that way.

But this American guy was brave enough and succeeded without an error. We can see that sometimes it was hard for him to understand everything, and once it took him some time to dig up the correct word (“fagyi” – ide cream). And he did not only order a cheeseburger with fries. His menu was much more complex:

Lots of positive feedback – viral video

He received lots of positive feedback. A commenter wrote “OMG, in my experience, foreigners have difficulty pronouncing “ö” but you nailed it! Amazing job”. Others congratulated him for his good command of Hungarian, others said he spoke better than some Hungarians. We hope that the success and the feedback will encourage him to continue his career in mastering the language. People also appreciated that he ordered very politely in Hungarian. “This just felt wholesome, you seem too pure-hearted, we protect you at all cost”, a commenter wrote.

Everybody cherishes the American guy who ordered in Hungarian (Copy) (2) — “Did I do it well?”, the wholesome American guy asks at the end of the video. Photo: PrtScr/Tiktok

He already amassed 115 thousand views on his video and more than 8,000 likes. The number of comments exceeds 180 and all of them are positive.

@exotranq That was great practice! Let me know how I did 😅 thank you @Burger King for the meal! #fyp #xyzbca #hungary #american #language #viral #challenge #food ♬ original sound – exotranc

Read also:

The history of the Hungarian language – read our article HERE
12 facts about the Hungarian language you did not know about – check out the details in THIS article

October 14, 2024

Historian: The Hungarian people won’t learn Chinese, just like they didn’t learn Russian – Hungary belongs to Europe

PM Orbán Xi Jinping in Beijing chinese president chinese ambassador szijjártó china hungarian

Even if Hungary were to leave the European Union or NATO in the coming years, the Hungarian people’s European identity would remain intact because its roots go far deeper than any political decision, historian Ignác Romsics stated on Magyar Hang’s program Kompország.

Romsics explained in Kompország that while a political decision could be made to withdraw from Western organisations, such a move would undoubtedly trigger alarm bells in people’s minds. The decision to join NATO and the European Union was legitimised through a referendum. According to Romsics, if Hungary were to consider turning its back on these institutions, the public would have to be consulted again.

“I am convinced that in such a scenario, the majority of Hungarians would choose Western and Central Europe over China and Russia, as that is where we have always belonged in spirit,”

he added.

He further noted that Hungary has always been a part of Europe, even during the 150 years of Ottoman rule and throughout the Kádár era. Despite compulsory Russian language education, people disliked it; they would have preferred to learn English or German. Hungarian youth did not gravitate toward Soviet films, but rather American ones. They wore jeans, drank Coca-Cola, and their behaviour reflected a Western orientation, not a Russian one.

Romsics also expressed doubt that the Hungarian people would embrace learning Chinese, despite the government’s growing ties with Beijing. While economic cooperation with China is possible, it poses challenges. Currently, over 70% of Hungary’s export-import activity is with the West. In contrast, only 1.3% of Hungary’s exports go to China, and 7% of imports come from there. In fact, Hungary’s entire trade with Asia accounts for less than 20% of its total foreign trade, he pointed out.

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October 6, 2024

English proficiency ranking: Hungary among top 20, Romania and Bulgaria perform better

According to the latest English Proficiency Index ranking, Hungary is among the 20 best countries regarding English proficiency as a second language. However, Hungary was outperformed by many nations in the region, notably Austria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.

English Proficiency Index

Pénzcentrum writes that a recent publication has revealed a surprising ranking of global English language skills, placing Hungary among the top 20 countries for English proficiency as a second language. In this analysis by the EF English Proficiency Index, Hungary was outperformed by several nations, including Austria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. However, the country managed to get a higher ranking than Slovakia, Estonia, and Serbia.

The survey involved 2.2 million participants from 113 countries, notably excluding those with native English speakers such as the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The rankings were determined by results from the EF Standard English Test (EF SET), with the Netherlands claiming the top spot, followed by Singapore and Austria. Denmark and Norway closely followed, being just one or two points behind.

A surprising trend

Since 2015, the trend in English proficiency across various age groups has remained relatively stable, with the notable exception of 18-20-year-olds, whose average score has decreased from 537 to 448 points. Interestingly, from 2014 to 2020, women demonstrated stronger English language skills. However, recent data shows men have taken the lead. In 2023, men achieved an average score of 502 in English proficiency, while women an average of 484. Therefore, this highlights a slight shift in the dynamics of language skills between the sexes.

Hungary in the High Proficiency category

English proficiency across the globe has been classified into five categories: Very High, High, Moderate, Low, and Very Low, based on test results. To qualify as a Very High proficiency country, an average score of over 600 is required, with the Netherlands leading at an impressive 647, followed by Singapore with 631 and Austria at 616. Twelve countries, including Hungary’s neighbour, Croatia, achieved this top tier, reflecting their exceptional English language skills.

Hungary, with an average score of 588, is placed in the High proficiency category, ranking 17th out of 113 countries. This places Hungary among the top 18 nations in this group, while other European countries like Spain, Italy, and France fall into the Medium category. In contrast, the lowest performers included the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tajikistan, Yemen, and Libya, all of which scored below 400 points. Notably, Europe has seen an increase in average English proficiency by 50 points since 2011, indicating a positive trend in language skills across the continent.

Read also:

Featured image: depositphotos.com

September 30, 2024

Hungarian students win silver medals at linguistics International Student Olympiad

Hungarian school students have won two silver medals at the 21st International Linguistics Olympiad in held in Brasilia between July 23 and 31.

Individuals and teams from 38 countries competed, and this year 11th grader Máté Gergely Virág (Eötvös József High School) and Rudolf Virág (Budapest Fazekas Mihály High School), who graduated this year, each won a medal, the HUN-REN Linguistics Research Center said on Saturday.

Tasks involved working out the operating principle of five rare languages, such as Koryak of Chukotko-Kamchatkan language family and Yanyuwa of the Australian Aboriginal Pama-Nyungan family, while teams were given a lexicostatistical task.

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August 3, 2024

Peng Liyuan visits Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school

Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Anikó Lévai, the spouse of PM Viktor Orbán, on Thursday visited Budapest’s Hungarian-Chinese bilingual primary and secondary school, on the sidelines of the Chinese presidential couple’s official visit to Hungary.

Peng Liyuan in Hungary

The guests were shown around the complex by headmistress Zsuzsa Erdélyi. They listened to a Chinese language class in the school and then a class of Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting, and were presented with a cultural programme in Hungarian and in Chinese.

The Chinese First Lady presented books to the school and received a photo album in return.

Earlier in the day Peng attended cultural programmes in the St Stephen Hall with First Lady Zsuzsanna Nagy.

Read also:

May 9, 2024

5+1 fun facts about Hungary – Some may come as a surprise

fun facts about hungary parliament europe credit

Dive into the heart of Central Europe with our captivating exploration of Hungary and its people. This colourful country has many faces, thus you might want to learn some fun facts about Hungary. Join us as we unveil 5+1 enchanting facts that reveal why Hungary is truly a treasure trove of delights waiting to be discovered.

1. Thermal water

Hungary might not have ocean or sea access, however, this does not mean that Hungarians miss out on fun water activities. It may be shocking to learn that Hungary has over 1,300 thermal springs. Due to a geographical fender-bender, Budapest itself has over 100 springs alone.

heviz hungary baths — Source: commons.wikimedia.org

2. Iconic parliament building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is not only a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture but also one of the largest parliamentary buildings in the world. An interesting fact about it is that its design holds a unique historical symmetry: the building has 691 rooms and a remarkable 20 kilometres of stairs. What makes it even more fascinating is that during its construction, which started in 1885 and was completed in 1904, about 40 million bricks, half a million precious stones, and 40 kilograms of gold were used.

hungary budapest night parliament — Budapest, Hungary. Source: depositphotos.com

3. Weird language

One of the commonly known facts about Hungary is that the people living here have their own language. Hungarian might sound weird or highly unusual to speakers of other languages primarily because it belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family. Thus, it is one of the few European languages that do not have an Indo-European origin. Some say that it is one of the hardest languages to master in the world.

4. Formula 1

The Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been held annually at the Hungaroring near Budapest since 1986, making it one of the oldest places in Eastern Europe to host the competition. It was the first race track behind the Iron Curtain. What is even more shocking regarding this fun fact about Hungary is that it was built in record time, in just 8 months.

5. The ultimate cure for everything

Fun fact: Hungarians have found the cure for all diseases. Some believe that the country’s national alcohol, pálinka, is a powerful remedy for headaches, menstrual pain, stress, and every disease known to humankind. There is a Hungarian saying: “Pálinka is a medicine in small quantities, a cure in large quantities.”

6. Checkmate

It is one of the lesser-known facts about Hungary that the country is home to an outstanding chess legend. Judit Polgár is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time and the strongest female chess player ever. She achieved a historic breakthrough in the traditionally male-dominated world of competitive chess, redefining perceptions about gender and intellectual prowess in the game. Judit earned the title of Grandmaster at the age of 15 in 1991, at the time the youngest to have achieved this distinction.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

May 5, 2024

3 things foreigners absolutely dislike about Hungarians

Hungarian Gombos folk clothing foreigners hungarians

We can all agree that Hungarians can be quite challenging from time to time. Sometimes, it is hard to understand someone due to cultural differences. We have compiled a list of things that foreigners hate the most about people from Hungary. However, these stereotypes do not apply to everyone. Thus, they should not be taken too seriously.

What do foreigners think about Hungarians?

As Promotions notes, there is a myriad of stereotypes surrounding the Hungarian nation. Some of them are good, while others are based on rather negative experiences. The perception of Hungarians in the eyes of foreigners has certainly been a long-standing concern for many. It is almost impossible to judge ourselves from our points of view.

However, the experiences of tourist guides and foreigners paint a pretty clear picture of Hungarians. Most foreigners dislike the following things about Hungarians the most: lack of foreign language skills, excessive sincerity and pessimism. Let’s take them one by one!

Lack of foreign language skills

Some people think that Hungarians are not rude, but the lack of a common communication channel leaves the “being rude” impression on other people. Dívány writes about a case in which a foreign couple wanted to buy some things in a supermarket in the centre of Budapest, but their mission failed at the checkout. They could not speak any language that the cashier would understand. Unfortunately, foreigners still won’t understand the Hungarian words when they are spoken louder and more articulately. The tourists, aware of their situation, sadly waddled away and the cashier just said out loud:

We are Hungarians, we should speak Hungarian, isn’t that right?

However, we should also note that nowadays more and more people (especially the younger generations) in Hungary speak English and other languages. In bigger towns, you should be able to get by without a problem, not to mention Budapest. In addition, it would be nonsense to expect tourists to learn the language even if they are visiting the country for a couple of days.

Excessive sincerity

Honesty is a virtue. It fuels friendships and relationships, as they are based on trust. However, sometimes sincerity can be too much. Some foreigners have noted that people in Hungary are overly honest, which can be quite hurtful sometimes. Even when you ask a Hungarian “How are you?”, they usually start telling you the truth instead of saying “I’m doing well, thank you”, they might start talking about their workplace issues or health problems.

Pessimism

Naturally, it is a highly generalised idea that all Hungarians are pessimistic, as attitudes can vary widely among individuals. However, like any nation, Hungary has its own cultural, historical, and social factors that may influence the general outlook of some of its people. One potential factor contributing to a perception of pessimism could be the country’s history. Hungary has faced various challenges throughout its history, including foreign occupation, wars, economic struggles, and political upheavals. These experiences can shape the collective psyche of a nation and may influence attitudes toward the future.

Positive traits

To end the article on a positive note, we should not forget about the more pleasant traits either. Many foreigners have noted that Hungarians are punctual. However, this might be quite relative as well. In addition, others have also observed that most Hungarians are very polite. Most people in Hungary are also great hosts, cooking dinner and offering pálinka to their guests, and doing everything they can to make them feel at home, in general.

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March 10, 2024

International Mother Language Day marked in Hungary

A state secretary of the ministry for European Union affairs marked International Mother Language Day, saying that the issue was especially important to Hungarians as “the life and future of Hungarians across the border hinges on their homeland’s regulations on the use of their mother tongue”.

“We must do everything in our power to ensure that the laws and practices are adequate everywhere in the Carpathian Basin,” Barna Pál Zsigmond said in a video posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

The situation was “the most worrying” in Ukraine, he said, calling on Kyiv to restore the 2015 state of affairs, and adhere to the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

Zsigmond insisted that the EU was not taking the protection of ethnic minorities seriously enough. “Leftist politicians playing from Soros’s playbook and bureaucrats don’t think it is important at all… The protection of national minorities should be a European minimum.”

Hungary insists that Ukraine cannot join the EU before it has restored and strengthened the rights of Transcarpathian Hungarians, he said.

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February 21, 2024

Exclusive Interview with Hungarian TikTok Sensation Livi

With an unrivalled charm and a keen eye for the comedic elements of everyday life, Hungarian TikTok sensation, Livi, offers a humorous glimpse into the unique and uproariously funny nuances of the Hungarian language. In this exclusive interview, we delve into her journey of turning the bizarre yet hilarious idioms and phrases of her mother tongue into viral TikTok videos, her experiences of growing up in the United States while straddling two different cultures, and what Hungarian identity means to her.

To start off, can you tell us how your TikTok/Instagram journey began, and how long you have been a creator? How did you discover your unique voice or niche on these platforms?

I’ve been a creator since about late 2020, and it has been a crazy journey! I started off just posting funny anecdotes from my life, but it wasn’t long before I shared my Hungarian background and captured a Hungarian audience. I don’t think I ever realised how interesting my Hungarian speaking skills were to native Hungarians. I grew up in California where most of my classmates spoke a different language at home, so it was completely normal to me to be bilingual and experience a different culture at home than in school. Once I spoke in Hungarian on a video, Hungarians were enthralled with my accent and asked me to continue. I now predominantly post videos in Hungarian on my TikTok with English subtitles. I love that my platform has helped me keep in touch with my Hungarian community and simultaneously promote language learning.

How did the idea of creating these hilarious Hungarian TikTok videos come about, and what was your breakthrough viral content?

Thank you for thinking they’re hilarious! My breakthrough viral content was a “tell me” trend where I asked viewers to share moments where they caught others speaking about them in another language. I then proceeded to tell a story about how some Hungarians were behind me and my friends in a cafe, saying that we were a group of “stupid American girls.” I proceeded to place everyone’s order in Hungarian in front of them and they stopped chatting pretty quickly after that. In terms of creating content, I think I see a lot of my life experiences through two lenses and that duality helps me see quirky things about the Hungarian language that maybe Hungarians sometimes don’t see. For example, I’ll very often translate Hungarian phrases to English since they just capture the moment better than an English phrase, but, in doing this, I realise how funny it can sound to English speaking ears.

@liv_iathan I’m so ready for these stories #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – LIVI

Could you share a bit of background story of your family’s move to the States? Where do they come from originally? Do you still have relatives living in Hungary?

My mother is from Budapest, and my father was from California. My father was a friend of my moms cousin, who already lived in California at the time, and they met when my mom was visiting once. My mom’s parents moved out to the States a few years after my parents got married as I was on the way. My father passed away when I was a year old, so I spent the majority of my time with my maternal grandparents, who only spoke Hungarian. Hungarian was technically my first language as a result. We no longer have relatives in Hungary but we do have many family friends we still visit.

When did you first visit Hungary, and what were your first impressions? And despite your Hungarian roots, did you experience any culture shock?

Well, I was first of all shocked to hear Hungarian all around me! It was mind boggling, because, for me, this language only existed in a home environment up until that point. We would sometimes meet Hungarians out and about in grocery stores, but I had never in my life been able to walk into a store and ask a clerk, in Hungarian, where an item I was looking for was. It was so empowering to know that, thanks to knowing the language and growing up with the culture, even if I was thousands of miles from my physical home, I was still home. In terms of culture shock, I don’t think I experienced as much of it as the group I was traveling with did. My first trip to Hungary was with ReConnect Hungary, a Hungarian birthright trip for young adults, and most of the cohort had never even been exposed to Hungarian culture prior to the trip. I will say that paying to use the bathroom or paying for toilet paper surprised me, though.

Do you have any plans for another visit to Hungary in the near future?

I’m dying to visit! I haven’t been to Hungary since 2018, and now that the pandemic has ended, I’d really love to visit. I’m also very excited to take my fiancé, Torrey, as well. I think I’ve talked his ear off about it at this point but he’s ecstatic to go, so my chatter has paid off!

What do you believe are the most unique traits/strengths of Hungarians? Additionally, how do Americans and Hungarians differ in their approaches to life, mentality and way of thinking?

Hungarians have a multitude of unique strengths: their pride in their rich cultural heritage, their resilience throughout history, their hospitality towards guests and eagerness to share cultural food, their strong emphasis on maintaining interconnectedness with family and supporting one another, the list goes on. In terms of differences between Hungarians and Americans, I’m not even sure where to start. In terms of communication, Hungarians take their time forming friendships and may take awhile to trust someone before being open and honest with them, whereas Americans will make friends very quickly. Generally, towards strangers, Hungarians are quite reserved and don’t express themselves as much as Americans do outright. I generally lean towards a Hungarian approach in that regard and, as a result, have had to really train myself over the years to be more open when speaking with other Americans.

Another key difference is dining etiquette: Hungarians have a more formal dining etiquette, where dining together in any capacity is a social event, while Americans will have a more casual approach. American cuisine is also more diverse, incorporating food from many different cultures, while Hungarian cuisine predominantly reflects Central European influences. Again, the list goes on and anyone who has visited both Hungary and the US will quickly be able to rack up a list of cultural differences themselves as well. Personally, since I was raised with both cultures, I’ve found myself adopting a blend of both Hungarian and American values as I’ve grown up.

Hungary is a pocket-sized country thousands of miles away from the US. For those who have never heard of it, how would you describe the country and its people in brief?

Hungary is a culturally rich and historically significant country with many amazing attractions such as thermal baths, beautiful architecture, delicious food, and a vibrant community. Hungarians are very hospitable people and love connecting with others. They take great pride in their country and show their affection through sharing their culture, cuisine, and language with foreigners.

What does your Hungarian identity mean to you?

My Hungarian identity is a huge part of who I am as a person. As I’ve gotten older, my life experiences have proven to me that my values are a unique blend of two cultures converging. My Hungarian background has given me a deep appreciation for history, age-old traditions, family recipes, and my friends and family. Simultaneously, my American background has helped me embrace individuality, diversity, and a different set of traditions and celebrations. My experiences remind me that identity isn’t static, it’s dynamic and constantly evolving as we move through life.

Can you think of something ‘typically Hungarian’ during your upbringing?

Doilies everywhere. Vegeta and paprika in nearly everything. A big plastic bag containing neatly tied smaller plastic bags. Otthonkák (grandma housecoats). The list goes on, and I’d have it no other way.

@liv_iathan Been a minute since one of these 😂 #inhungarywesay #hungary #phrases #languages #languagelearning #hungarian ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

We’ve noticed on your page that you have a passion for cooking and baking. What’s your go-to Hungarian dish? Are your American and foreign friends fond of Hungarian flavours?

Oh, I love this question, thank you for noticing that! I know I don’t post about it very often, but I’ve been meaning to share more of my cooking and baking lately. My go-to dish is always csirke paprikás (chicken paprikash), it’s just incredibly easy, delicious, and hearty. My American and foreign friends all love Hungarian food, and they’re always excited to try anything I make. It has particularly been a lot of fun introducing Torrey to all the different dishes, and, so far, he loves everything he’s tried. I haven’t served him kocsonya (aspic) yet, though, so the jury is still out.

Can you imagine moving to Hungary one day, whether for a short or long term? And if not, why?

At this point, I don’t think I could live there long term, just because my career aspirations, my friends, and my family are all in California. I also do get homesick to return to the States after I’ve been away for a while. Although, if possible, I would love to spend a month every year or even my summers in Hungary in the future.

Looking ahead, what does the future hold for you, and what are you most excited about?

Well, I’ll be getting married this year, so I’m very excited for that! I’m also currently job hunting for a role in software engineering after having taught myself software skills for the past few years, so I am excited to begin working in tech. More generally, I’m excited to continue spending my time with Torrey, my mom, and my dog, and hopefully visiting Hungary later this year.

February 12, 2024

VIDEO: British girl has a breakdown over Hungarian language

There are numerous things that tourists find weird about Hungary and Hungarians. Maybe one of the most prominent oddities of the nation is its language. Surely, it is no coincidence as it is such a one-of-a-kind language. We are not even surprised when people freeze when hearing Hungarian. In the video below, a British girl, who was challenged to guess foreign languages, got a mini breakdown when hearing Hungarian.

Down the rabbit hole in languages

As Promotions notes, there is a prevalent discourse in Hungary asserting that the Hungarian language may stand as one of the most intricate and challenging languages in the world. Numerous anecdotes circulate wherein foreigners, upon visiting the country, have encountered the formidable nature of the language. However, there is no definitive metric for measuring how hard a language is. When talking about the subject, the common refrain is that mastering our language is quite complex.

Learning Hungarian can be extremely challenging for a set of reasons. In general, embarking on the journey of language acquisition unveils a myriad of complexities, chiefly entwined with the intricacies of individuals’ mother tongues, cultural nuances and the unique cognitive frameworks shaping their language learning endeavours. Given these factors, there is no one-size-fits-all technique when it comes to language learning. If you have ever wondered, why you cannot find any connection between Hungarian and your mother tongue, you may find the reason below.

No luck with guessing Hungarian

World Friends is a US-based YouTube channel that delves into languages worldwide. They often post videos where people from different countries try to identify languages after hearing a few sentences or counting. One English participant had to guess languages like Swedish, German, Polish, French, Serbian and Hungarian. Interestingly, the counting from 1 to 5 shocked the British participant. On top of that, the British girl struggled to identify Hungarian, even with extra help. You may watch the fun and laid-back video here:

Why is Hungarian so different?

You may wonder why Hungarian sounds so odd and why you cannot find too many similarities to other languages. Well… Hungarian stands as a linguistic anomaly, distinguished by its uniqueness. Rooted in the Finno-Ugric language family, it shares no immediate ties with major European languages. Noteworthy features include its agglutinative nature, intricate vowel harmony and reliance on extensive inflexions. The absence of gendered pronouns and the use of cases for word modifications further set it apart. This linguistic rarity reflects Hungary’s historical isolation and cultural identity, making Hungarian a captivating testament to the rich tapestry of global languages. Despite that, you may find some words of Turkish or Russian origin due to the country’s historical background.

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January 17, 2024