Language/Hungarian/Vocabulary/Food-and-drink

Hungarian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Basic Hungarian vocabulary → Food and drink

Hungarian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and unique dishes. In this lesson, we will explore vocabulary related to Hungarian food and drink, including traditional dishes, ingredients, and dining etiquette. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently order food in a restaurant and buy groceries in Hungarian.

Traditional Hungarian Dishes

Hungarian cuisine is a reflection of the country's rich history and cultural influences. Some of the most famous traditional Hungarian dishes include:

Goulash (Gulyás)

Goulash is a hearty soup or stew made with beef, onions, paprika, and other spices. It is often served with potatoes or pasta. Goulash is considered one of Hungary's national dishes and is a must-try for any visitor.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Gulyás	[ˈɡujaːʃ]	Goulash

Langos

Langos is a popular Hungarian street food. It is a deep-fried bread topped with various savory or sweet toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, garlic, or Nutella. Langos is a delicious treat that can be enjoyed any time of the day.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Lángos	[ˈlaːŋɡoʃ]	Langos

Dobos Torte

Dobos Torte is a famous Hungarian cake consisting of multiple layers of sponge cake filled with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel. It is named after its creator, József C. Dobos, and is a classic dessert for special occasions.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Dobos torta	[ˈdoboʃ ˈtortɒ]	Dobos Torte

Hortobágyi Pancakes

Hortobágyi Pancakes are savory pancakes filled with meat and served with a rich paprika sauce. They are named after a region in Hungary known for its traditional cuisine. Hortobágyi Pancakes are a popular choice for lunch or dinner.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Hortobágyi palacsinta	[ˈhortobaːɟi ˈpɒlɒtʃintɒ]	Hortobágyi Pancakes

Ingredients and Flavors

Hungarian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and use of local ingredients. Let's explore some common ingredients and flavors used in Hungarian cooking:

Paprika (Paprika)

Paprika is a spice made from dried and ground peppers. It is an essential ingredient in Hungarian cuisine and is used in many dishes to add flavor and color. Hungarian paprika is known for its rich and sweet taste.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Paprika	[ˈpɒpriːkɒ]	Paprika

Kolbász (Sausage)

Kolbász is a type of Hungarian sausage made from ground meat, typically pork, mixed with spices and garlic. It is often smoked or cured and is a popular ingredient in soups, stews, and other traditional dishes.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Kolbász	[ˈkolbaːs]	Sausage

Túró (Curd Cheese)

Túró is a type of curd cheese commonly used in Hungarian desserts and pastries. It has a creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavor. Túró is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Túró	[ˈtuːroː]	Curd Cheese

Meggy (Sour Cherry)

Meggy is the Hungarian word for sour cherry. Sour cherries are widely used in Hungarian desserts, such as cakes, pastries, and jams. They have a tart flavor that adds a delicious tang to sweet dishes.

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Meggy	[ˈmɛɟːi]	Sour Cherry

Dining Out in Hungary

Hungarians take great pride in their culinary traditions and dining out is a common social activity. Here are some useful phrases and etiquette tips for dining out in Hungary:

Ordering Food

When ordering food in a restaurant, it's helpful to know some basic Hungarian phrases. Here are a few examples:

• Egy asztalt szeretnék foglalni, kérem. - I would like to reserve a table, please.
• Mit ajánl a séf? - What do you recommend?
• Kérlek, hozd el a számlát. - Can you bring me the check, please?

Paying the Bill

In Hungarian restaurants, it is customary to ask for the bill when you are ready to leave. The waiter will bring the bill to your table, and you can pay with cash or credit card. It is also common to leave a small tip for good service.

Hungarian Dining Etiquette

Hungarians have specific dining customs that are worth noting. Here are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind:

• Wait to be seated: In traditional Hungarian restaurants, you may need to wait to be seated by the host or hostess.
• Toasting: When toasting with alcoholic beverages, it is customary to make eye contact with each person at the table and say "Egészségedre!" (Cheers!).
• Bon appétit: It is polite to say "Jó étvágyat!" (Enjoy your meal!) before starting to eat.
• Use utensils: In formal settings, use both a fork and a knife to eat. Hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right hand.
• Finish your plate: It is considered polite to finish all the food on your plate as a sign of appreciation to the chef.

Buying Groceries

If you prefer to cook your own meals, you'll need to know how to buy groceries in Hungary. Here are some essential phrases and vocabulary for grocery shopping:

• Hol találom a(z) __________-t? - Where can I find __________?
• Mennyibe kerül egy kiló __________? - How much does one kilogram of __________ cost?
• Van friss __________? - Do you have fresh __________?
• Mennyi az összeg? - How much is the total?

Hungarian Grocery Vocabulary

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
Tej	[tej]	Milk
Kenyér	[ˈkɛɲeːr]	Bread
Tojás	[ˈtojaːʃ]	Egg
Hús	[ˈhuːʃ]	Meat
Zöldség	[ˈzøldʃeːɡ]	Vegetable
Gyümölcs	[ˈɟymølt͡ʃ]	Fruit
Só	[ʃoː]	Salt
Cukor	[ˈt͡sukor]	Sugar

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Here are some exercises to test your knowledge:

1. Match the Hungarian dishes with their English translations:

• Gulyás
• Lángos
• Dobos torta
• Hortobágyi palacsinta

a. Goulash b. Langos c. Dobos Torte d. Hortobágyi Pancakes

2. Fill in the blank with the correct ingredient in Hungarian: "Mennyibe kerül egy kiló __________?" (How much does one kilogram of __________ cost?) a. Tej (Milk) b. Kenyér (Bread) c. Tojás (Egg) d. Gyümölcs (Fruit)

Solutions

1. Match the Hungarian dishes with their English translations:

• Gulyás - a. Goulash
• Lángos - b. Langos
• Dobos torta - c. Dobos Torte
• Hortobágyi palacsinta - d. Hortobágyi Pancakes

2. Fill in the blank with the correct ingredient in Hungarian: "Mennyibe kerül egy kiló __________?" (How much does one kilogram of __________ cost?) b. Kenyér (Bread)

Table of Contents - Hungarian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Pronouns and Verb Conjugation

• Personal Pronouns
• Present Tense Verb Conjugation

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Asking Questions
• Negation

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Time and Frequency

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods and Drinks
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Prepositions and Location

• Common Prepositions
• Expressing Location

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Hungarian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Foods

  ---

Possessive Pronouns and Plurals

• Possessive Pronouns
• Forming Plurals

  ---

Hobbies and Leisure Activities

• Common Hobbies
• Discussing Interests

  ---

Hungarian History and Geography

• Important Historical Events
• Geography of Hungary

Sources

• Hungarian language practice game: food and drinks words
• Basic and useful Hungarian phrases for a trip to Budapest ...
• Flashcards for learning Hungarian with audio
• Food and Drinks in Hungarian | Pinhok Languages

Other Lessons

• Colors
• Fashion and style
• Body
• Greetings
• Shopping
• Days of the Week
• Drinks
• Music and theater
• Fruits
• Emergency