Language/Hungarian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-telling-time
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will delve into one of the fundamental aspects of any language: numbers and telling time. Understanding how to count and tell time is crucial for basic communication in Hungarian. Whether you are asking for directions, ordering food, or simply having a conversation, being able to express numbers and understand the concept of time is essential. This lesson will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Hungarian numbers and how to tell time, allowing you to confidently navigate various everyday situations.
The lesson will be divided into two sections: numbers and telling time. In the numbers section, we will cover cardinal and ordinal numbers, as well as the formation of larger numbers. We will provide plenty of examples and exercises to help you practice and reinforce your knowledge. In the telling time section, we will explore how to express different times of the day in Hungarian, including both the 12-hour and 24-hour formats. Cultural insights and interesting facts will be sprinkled throughout the lesson to make your learning experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Let's dive into the world of Hungarian numbers and time-telling!
Numbers[edit | edit source]
Cardinal Numbers[edit | edit source]
Cardinal numbers are used to express the quantity or the number of things. In Hungarian, cardinal numbers are relatively straightforward to learn and follow a consistent pattern. Let's start with the numbers from zero to ten:
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| nulla | [ˈnulːɒ] | zero |
| egy | [ɛɟ] | one |
| kettő | [ˈkɛtːøː] | two |
| három | [ˈhaːrom] | three |
| négy | [ˈneːɟ] | four |
| öt | [øt] | five |
| hat | [hɒt] | six |
| hét | [heːt] | seven |
| nyolc | [ɲolt͡s] | eight |
| kilenc | [ˈkilɛnt͡s] | nine |
| tíz | [tiːz] | ten |
You might have noticed that the pronunciation of some numbers is quite different from their written form. Don't worry, Hungarian pronunciation can be tricky, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it! Let's move on to the next set of numbers:
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tizenegy | [ˈtizɛnɛɟ] | eleven |
| tizenkettő | [ˈtizɛnkɛtːøː] | twelve |
| tizenhárom | [ˈtizɛnhaːrom] | thirteen |
| tizennégy | [ˈtizɛnneːɟ] | fourteen |
| tizenöt | [ˈtizɛnøt] | fifteen |
| tizenhat | [ˈtizɛnhat] | sixteen |
| tizenhét | [ˈtizɛnheːt] | seventeen |
| tizennyolc | [ˈtizɛɲːolt͡s] | eighteen |
| tizenkilenc | [ˈtizɛnkilɛnt͡s] | nineteen |
| húsz | [huːs] | twenty |
The numbers from eleven to nineteen are formed by combining "tizen" (meaning "ten") with the corresponding unit. For example, "tizenhárom" means "thirteen," which is formed by combining "tizen" (ten) and "három" (three). The number "twenty" is expressed as "húsz" in Hungarian.
Now, let's proceed to the multiples of ten:
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| harminc | [ˈhɒrmin͡ts] | thirty |
| negyven | [ˈnɛɟvɛn] | forty |
| ötven | [ˈøtvɛn] | fifty |
| hatvan | [ˈhɒtvɒn] | sixty |
| hetven | [ˈhɛtvɛn] | seventy |
| nyolcvan | [ˈɲolt͡svɒn] | eighty |
| kilencven | [ˈkilɛnt͡svɛn] | ninety |
| száz | [saːz] | one hundred |
The multiples of ten are formed by adding the suffix "-ven" to the corresponding unit. For example, "harminc" means "thirty" and is formed by adding "-ven" to "három" (three). The number "one hundred" is expressed as "száz" in Hungarian.
Ordinal Numbers[edit | edit source]
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the order or sequence of things. In Hungarian, ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix "-edik" to the cardinal number. Let's take a look at some examples:
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| első | [ˈɛlʃøː] | first |
| második | [ˈmaːʃodik] | second |
| harmadik | [ˈhɒrmodik] | third |
| negyedik | [ˈnɛɟɛdik] | fourth |
| ötödik | [ˈøtøːdik] | fifth |
| hatodik | [ˈhɒtodik] | sixth |
| hetedik | [ˈhɛtɛdik] | seventh |
| nyolcadik | [ˈɲolt͡sadik] | eighth |
| kilencedik | [ˈkilɛnt͡sadik] | ninth |
| tizedik | [ˈtizɛdik] | tenth |
The ordinal numbers in Hungarian follow a consistent pattern. Just add the suffix "-edik" to the corresponding cardinal number, and you've got the ordinal number!
Large Numbers[edit | edit source]
Now that we have covered the basics of cardinal and ordinal numbers, let's move on to larger numbers. In Hungarian, larger numbers are formed by combining the cardinal numbers with the word "száz" (hundred) and "ezer" (thousand). Here is an example to illustrate this:
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| száz | [saːz] | one hundred |
| kétszáz | [ˈkeːtsaːz] | two hundred |
| háromszáz | [ˈhaːromsaːz] | three hundred |
| ezer | [ˈɛzɛr] | one thousand |
| két ezer | [ˈkeːt ɛzɛr] | two thousand |
| háromezer | [ˈhaːromɛzɛr] | three thousand |
| tízezer | [ˈtiːzɛzɛr] | ten thousand |
| százezer | [ˈsaːzɛzɛr] | one hundred thousand |
To form larger numbers, simply combine the cardinal numbers with "száz" (hundred) and "ezer" (thousand). For example, "háromezer" means "three thousand," which is formed by combining "három" (three) and "ezer" (thousand).
Now that you have a solid understanding of Hungarian numbers, let's move on to the next section: telling time.
Telling Time[edit | edit source]
Telling time is a crucial skill in any language, as it allows us to schedule appointments, catch trains, and plan our daily activities. In Hungarian, telling time follows a relatively straightforward pattern. Let's start with the basics:
The 12-Hour Clock[edit | edit source]
In Hungarian, the 12-hour clock is commonly used in everyday conversation. To express the time, you need to know the words for "hour" and "minute." Here are the key vocabulary words:
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| óra | [ˈoːrɒ] | hour |
| perc | [pɛrt͡s] | minute |
| dél | [deːl] | noon |
| éjfél | [ˈeːjfeːl] | midnight |
To express the time, simply combine the cardinal numbers with the words for "hour" and "minute." Here are some examples:
- 1:15 - "egy óra tizenöt perc"
- 3:30 - "három óra harminc perc"
- 6:45 - "hat óra negyvenöt perc"
- 11:55 - "tizenegy óra ötvenöt perc"
The word "dél" is used to indicate noon, and "éjfél" is used for midnight. For example, "noon" is expressed as "dél," and "midnight" is expressed as "éjfél."
The 24-Hour Clock[edit | edit source]
While the 12-hour clock is more commonly used in everyday conversation, the 24-hour clock is frequently used in written form and for official purposes. To express the time in the 24-hour clock, you simply state the hour and minute without any additional words. For example:
- 13:15 - "tizenhárom óra tizenöt perc"
- 15:30 - "tizenöt óra harminc perc"
- 18:45 - "tizennyolc óra negyvenöt perc"
- 23:55 - "huszonhárom óra ötvenöt perc"
Using the 24-hour clock eliminates any ambiguity, as the time is expressed in a clear and concise manner.
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
Hungarian culture places a strong emphasis on punctuality, especially in formal and business settings. It is considered respectful to arrive on time for appointments and meetings. If you are invited to a Hungarian person's home, it is customary to arrive a few minutes early or right on time. Being punctual shows respect for the host and their time.
In Hungarian culture, it is also common to greet someone with a "jó napot" (good day) or "jó estét" (good evening) followed by the appropriate greeting depending on the time of day. For example, in the morning, you would say "jó reggelt" (good morning), and in the afternoon, you would say "jó délutánt" (good afternoon).
Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now that you have learned the basics of Hungarian numbers and telling time, it's time to put your knowledge into practice! Here are some exercises to help you reinforce what you've learned:
1. Write the following numbers in Hungarian: a) 35 b) 78 c) 102 d) 500
2. Express the following times in Hungarian: a) 9:20 AM b) 6:50 PM c) 3:15 PM d) 11:30 PM
3. Translate the following sentences into Hungarian: a) "I have three cats." b) "She is the second child in her family." c) "The train leaves at seven o'clock." d) "We will meet at twelve noon."
Solutions[edit | edit source]
1. Write the following numbers in Hungarian: a) 35 - harmincöt b) 78 - hetvennyolc c) 102 - százegy d) 500 - ötszáz
2. Express the following times in Hungarian: a) 9:20 AM - kilenc óra húsz perc (reggel) b) 6:50 PM - hat óra ötven perc (este) c) 3:15 PM - három óra tizenöt perc (délután) d) 11:30 PM - tizenegy óra harminc perc (éjjel)
3. Translate the following sentences into Hungarian: a) "I have three cats." - Három macskám van. b) "She is the second child in her family." - A családjában ő a második gyerek. c) "The train leaves at seven o'clock." - A vonat hét órakor indul. d) "We will meet at twelve noon." - Tizenkét órakor találkozunk.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to count in Hungarian and tell time. These skills are essential for everyday communication and will greatly enhance your ability to navigate various situations in Hungary. Remember to practice regularly and reinforce your knowledge through conversation and exercises. Keep up the great work, and soon you'll be able to confidently express numbers and tell time in Hungarian!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Telling Time in Hungarian - Everything You Need to Know
- Hungarian language - Wikipedia
- Learn the Hungarian Numbers in 9 Easy Steps (with Pronunciation ...
- Hungarian/Lesson 2 - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Food and drink
- Countries
- Count from 1 to 10
- Feelings and Emotions
- Geography
- Days of the Week
- Fruits
- Business and work
- Education
- Shopping