LATVIAN KNOWLEDGE

THE HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE: GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE

Hungarian, known as "Magyar" in its native form, is a language that stands out as a fascinating anomaly in Europe. It belongs to the Uralic language family, a rare classification that sets it apart from the Indo-European languages dominating the continent.

Hungarian is primarily spoken in Hungary, where it is the official language, but it also has speakers in neighboring countries such as Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, and Ukraine, as well as in diaspora communities worldwide. With approximately 13 million speakers, Hungarian is the largest and most widely spoken Uralic language.

Unlike its Indo-European neighbors, Hungarian shares linguistic roots with Finnish and Estonian. However, these languages are not mutually intelligible due to significant divergences over thousands of years. Hungarian’s distinctive features can be found in its vocabulary, grammar and phonetics, which have evolved independently while incorporating influences from Turkish, German, Slavic, and Latin over centuries.

Hungarian is deeply tied to the culture and history of Hungary, helping to preserve the nation's identity during the many invasions it has suffered during its history. Of particular note is its rich literature, made up of poetic and philosophical works, with renowned writers such as Sándor Petőfi and Imre Kertész, the latter of whom won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Here are 5 Unique Features of the Hungarian Language:

• Agglutinative Grammar: meaning it forms words and expresses grammatical relationships through the addition of prefixes and suffixes. For instance, a single Hungarian word can encapsulate what would require an entire sentence in English. For example the word “házunkban,” means “in our house.”

• Vowel Harmony: Hungarian employs vowel harmony, a phonological system where the vowels within a word must belong to one of two groups: front vowels or back vowels. This feature governs the selection of suffixes, ensuring a harmonious sound to the language.

• Rich Case System: With 18 grammatical cases, Hungarian is a language of great precision. Cases define the roles of nouns in sentences, such as possession, direction, or location, replacing prepositions commonly used in English.

• Flexible Word Order: While Hungarian has a subject-verb-object (SVO) structure, its word order is highly flexible, often determined by emphasis rather than strict grammatical rules. This flexibility allows speakers to highlight specific elements of a sentence dynamically.

• Pronunciation: Hungarian pronunciation is consistent, with words pronounced as they are spelled. Stress is always placed on the first syllable, and the language has unique letters, such as ő and ű, which represent long vowels.

NATURAL METHOD TO LEARN HUNGARIAN

Our language courses are based on the Natural Method, also known as the Natural Approach, developed by linguist Stephen Krashen and language educator Tracy Terrell. This approach focuses on creating an environment that mimics how individuals naturally acquire their first language, emphasizing comprehension, communication, and a stress-free learning experience.

While other language courses rely on rote memorization and drills, a heavy academic approach to grammar, repetitive exercises, expensive and time-consuming formal tutoring sessions or ineffective and shallow phone apps, we will have you gradually build your language skills like a child learning his/her mother tongue.

There are essentially 5 Core Principles in the Natural Method:

1. Comprehensible Input (i+1)
   Learners acquire a language when they are exposed to materials slightly beyond their current level of understanding (represented as i+1). By hearing or reading content they mostly understand, learners can gradually internalize new vocabulary and grammar structures.

2. Focus on Communication
   The Natural Method prioritizes fluency and the ability to communicate over grammatical perfection. Errors are seen as a natural part of the learning process and are not heavily penalised, reducing anxiety and encouraging learners to express themselves.

3. Emotional Element
   Emotional factors like anxiety, motivation and enjoyment greatly influence language acquisition. When learners are in a relaxed state, achieved by removing the anxiety linked to the pressure to produce perfect grammar, it is easier for them to get through the initial phase which is arguably the hardest and where most give up. It is also proven to be easier for the brain to absorb and retain new information if the learner is actually interested in the language and its underlying culture, which is why he have included extensive cultural insights, historical and modern pop culture elements in our language course.

4. Stages of Language Acquisition
   Scholars have identified the following stages in the language acquisition process of young children:

   • Pre-production: The "silent period," where learners focus on listening and understanding without speaking.

   • Early Production: Learners begin using simple words and phrases.

   • Speech Emergence: Learners can construct longer sentences and express ideas more freely.

   • Intermediate Fluency: Learners develop more complex language skills and can engage in meaningful conversations.

   • Advanced Fluency: Learners achieve near-native proficiency.

     The goal of our courses is thus to mimic the natural language acquisition process without overwhelming the learner with long and tedious lessons but ensuring gradual gains so that he/she remains committed to his/her fluency goal. 

5. Meaningful Interaction
   Instead of rote memorization of single words and grammar rules over and over, the Natural Method encourages activities that involve real-world communication to help retain information. This is why we have included storytelling and role-playing scenarios that simulate everyday situations, with exercises that allow the learner to understand his/her current level and thus improve upon specific elements.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why learn Hungarian?

The top five reasons to learn this language are...

1. It's fun!

2. By learning Hungarian, one can get a deeper understanding of European history and culture. Throughout the centuries, the Kingdom of Hungary had an often ignored pivotal role in the shaping of Europe, being on the border of Roman and Greek Catholicism and the Turkish expansion. When not an empire itself, it's been on the border of empires, cultures and civilizations for a millennium and stood in the sea of Slavic, German and Turkish languages, without losing his identity.

3. Hungarians are extremely grateful when they see other people try to speak Hungarian. Make sure you pick up a few words, even if you only have a short visit in the country.

4. To know Hungarian is to be a member of a very unique club.

5. If you want an inexpensive vacation, go to Hungary!

Is Hungarian hard to learn?

Honestly speaking, Hungarian is definitively not an easy language to learn! Knowledge of other languages (even Finnish or Estonian) doesn't really make it much easier. The main problem however is the lack of good resources that brigde the gap between beginner materials and advanced native media. Since Hungarian culture and media contents haven't propagated throughout the world, unlike Japanese anime or Korean dramas for example, which means that there aren't as many people interested in learning the language. This in turn means less books and contents are creatd, posing a serious challenge to anyone interested in going beyond the beginner level.

These factors aren't unique to Hungarian, but they are relevant because for the average English-speaking learner, since this makes Hungarian even harder to learn compared to Japanese! This lack of resources is also made worse by the fact that Hungarian isn't widely spoken and the Hungarian-speaking diaspora is small and geographically concentrated around Hungary itself. We hope to solve the lack of resources by creating constantly new contents that will allow learners to complete their fluency goals. If you have any suggestions about future lessons or articles send them to info@learnhungarian.net

The more you learn the less you will feel you know. It might seem counterintuitive, but that realization is actually a sign of progress. The more you learn, the more you uncover the depth and complexity of the language, which makes you aware of how much there is to master.

How long does it take to learn Hungarian?

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States Department of State has classified Hungarian as a Category IV language, meaning it is considered one of the most challenging languages for native English speakers to learn. The FSI estimates that it takes approximately 1,100 hours of study to achieve a general proficiency in Hungarian. This is 137 days or 4 and half months assuming you study 8 hours a day, every single day including on weekends and when you are at work.

It is important to note that this estimate may vary significantly depending on the individual's language learning abilities, previous language learning experiences, and immersion in a Hungarian-speaking environment. Our course enables learners to reach conversational fluency in 30 days by optimising their study time and gradually expanding their language skills to cover every possible topic.

Is Hungarian related to any other languages?

Hungarian is a member of the Uralic language family, which includes Finnish, Estonian, and several smaller languages spoken across northern Eurasia, such as Sami and Udmurt. Despite its geographic location in Central Europe, Hungarian is not an Indo-European language and therefore has no linguistic relation to its neighboring languages like German, Slovak, or Romanian. Its closest linguistic relatives are Mansi and Khanty, two minority languages spoken in western Siberia, although these are so distant in time and geography that their similarities to Hungarian are not immediately obvious.

Hungarian shares structural features with other Uralic languages, such as vowel harmony, agglutination (the use of suffixes to modify word meaning or grammatical function), and a rich case system. However, over centuries of contact with Indo-European-speaking populations, Hungarian has absorbed a significant number of loanwords from Slavic languages, Turkish, German, and Latin, influencing its vocabulary while its core grammar has remained distinct. This unique combination of features makes Hungarian stand out as one of the most linguistically fascinating languages in Europe.

What’s the fastest way to become fluent in Hungarian?

• The fastest way to learn a language depends on your goals (e.g., conversational fluency vs. complete mastery), but here are proven strategies to speed up the process:

  1. Immerse Yourself

  • Speak Daily: Find native speakers or language exchange partners and start speaking from day one. Apps like iTalki, Tandem, or HelloTalk are great for this.

  • Surround Yourself: Change your phone, social media, and apps to the target language.

  • Travel: If possible, spend time in a country where the language is spoken. Full immersion forces you to adapt quickly.

  2. Focus on the Most Useful Words and Phrases

  • Learn the top 1,000 words in the language, as they often cover 80-90% of everyday conversation.

  • Start with common phrases you'll actually use in real-life situations, like greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, etc.

  3. Practice Listening and Speaking

  • Shadowing Technique: Repeat after native speakers in real-time while listening to audio or watching videos.

  • Use apps like Pimsleur or Glossika for listening and speaking practice.

  • Watch TV Shows and Movies: With subtitles first, and then without, to improve comprehension.

  4. Use Spaced Repetition for Vocabulary

  • Apps like Anki, Quizlet, or Memrise use spaced repetition systems (SRS) to help you memorize words and phrases efficiently.

  • Create your own flashcards or use pre-made decks for your target language.

  5. Learn Grammar in Context

  • Instead of memorizing grammar rules, observe patterns through sentences and dialogues.

  • Practice constructing sentences using the grammar you're learning.

  6. Consistency is Key

  • Daily Practice: Even just 20–30 minutes a day is more effective than sporadic, long study sessions.

  • Set small, achievable goals like learning 5 new words daily or practicing a conversation every evening.

  7. Engage with Authentic Content

  • Podcasts: Listen to beginner-friendly or native podcasts in your target language.

  • Books and Blogs: Start with children’s books, graded readers, or articles on topics you enjoy.

  • Music and Lyrics: Learn songs to improve pronunciation and memorize phrases.

  8. Keep a Language Journal

  • Write down new words, phrases, and sentences daily.

  • Practice writing short paragraphs about your day.

What are the best resources for learning Hungarian?

Here’s a review of the most popular Hungarian language resources to help you choose the best tools for your learning journey:

1. Apps

Duolingo

• Pros:

  • Gamified learning keeps you engaged.

  • Covers basic vocabulary and grammar.

  • Free with optional paid version.

• Cons:

  • Limited advanced content.

  • Lacks cultural context and pronunciation practice.

• Best for: Beginners building a basic vocabulary.

Memrise

• Pros:

  • Focuses on real-life vocabulary and phrases.

  • Includes videos with native speakers.

  • Spaced repetition helps with long-term retention.

• Cons:

  • Not ideal for grammar or sentence structure.

• Best for: Expanding vocabulary with authentic pronunciation.

LingQ

• Pros:

  • Immersion-based approach using real content like stories and articles.

  • Allows customization and tracks vocabulary.

• Cons:

  • Can feel overwhelming for complete beginners.

  • Requires a subscription for full access.

• Best for: Intermediate learners wanting authentic Hungarian texts.

Pimsleur

• Pros:

  • Focuses on speaking and listening.

  • Great for pronunciation and conversational phrases.

• Cons:

  • Limited reading and writing practice.

  • Expensive compared to other apps.

• Best for: Those who want to start speaking early.

2. Online Courses

HungarianPod101

• Pros:

  • Massive library of audio and video lessons.

  • Includes cultural insights and grammar explanations.

  • Suitable for all levels.

• Cons:

  • Overwhelming amount of material; requires self-discipline.

  • Full access is behind a paywall.

• Best for: Learners who enjoy audio-based lessons.

Assimil Hungarian

• Pros:

  • Focuses on listening and natural language acquisition.

  • Gradually introduces grammar in context.

• Cons:

  • Physical books and audio require upfront investment.

  • Not as engaging as app-based courses.

• Best for: Self-learners who prefer structured, traditional courses.

3. Books

Colloquial Hungarian: The Complete Course for Beginners

• Pros:

  • Covers grammar and everyday phrases.

  • Comes with audio to practice listening and speaking.

• Cons:

  • Dense for absolute beginners.

  • Limited cultural insights.

• Best for: Those who prefer a textbook-style resource.

Teach Yourself Complete Hungarian

• Pros:

  • Comprehensive: grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and listening.

  • Good progression for beginners to intermediate level.

• Cons:

  • Audio quality could be better.

  • Some sections may feel outdated.

• Best for: Self-motivated learners who like a structured approach.

4. YouTube Channels

Hungarian with Sziszi

• Pros:

  • Clear and engaging lessons.

  • Focuses on everyday vocabulary and cultural context.

• Cons:

  • Limited advanced-level content.

• Best for: Beginners who enjoy video lessons.

Polyglot Resources

• Look for polyglots who share Hungarian tips (like Luca Lampariello or Steve Kaufmann).

• Pros:

  • Share practical learning strategies.

  • Authentic language insights.

• Cons:

  • Less focused on Hungarian-specific nuances.

5. Dictionaries and Grammar Tools

Sztaki Szótár (Online Dictionary)

• Pros:

  • Reliable, free, and user-friendly.

  • Includes example sentences.

• Cons:

  • No audio pronunciations.

• Best for: Translation and quick vocabulary lookup.

Hungarian Reference Grammar by Carol H. Rounds

• Pros:

  • Comprehensive grammar explanations.

  • Ideal for serious learners and linguists.

• Cons:

  • Requires patience and prior language knowledge.

• Best for: Grammar enthusiasts or intermediate-advanced learners.

6. Immersive Resources

Children’s Books

• Great for simple vocabulary and grammar.

• Recommendations: Bogyó és Babóca or Rumini series.

Films and TV Shows

• Testről és Lélekről (On Body and Soul) and Üvegtigris (Glass Tiger) are great for listening to conversational Hungarian.

Music

• Modern bands like Wellhello or Follow the Flow make it fun to learn contemporary vocabulary.

7. Language Exchange Platforms

HelloTalk / Tandem

• Pros:

  • Connect with native speakers for text or voice chats.

  • Practice conversational skills in real-time.

• Cons:

  • Conversations can be unstructured.

• Best for: Learners ready to speak with natives.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are interested in learning more about Hungarian culture and history as well as the language, we recommend that you download our complete Hungarian language course!

You will not only receive all the contents available on our website in convenient pdf or epub formats but also additional contents, including bonus vocabulary, more grammar structures and exclusive cultural insights with additional Hungarian vocabulary that you won't find anywhere else.

The additional articles include specific words or expressions related to the culture of the Hungarian people. Not only will you be able to speak the Hungarian language with confidence but you will amaze your listeners thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

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Have you already mastered Hungarian?

Congratulations on your achievement! We'd love to hear your feedback to help us improve our lessons and continue providing fresh, engaging content. Feel free to share your thoughts at info@learnhungarian.net.

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