Language/Hungarian/Vocabulary/Family-and-relationships
Introduction:
In this lesson, we will dive into the heart of the Hungarian language by exploring the vocabulary related to family and relationships. Understanding these words is crucial not only for building your language skills but also for connecting with Hungarian culture. Family is a fundamental part of life in Hungary, and knowing the right terms will help you navigate conversations more comfortably, whether you're chatting with friends or meeting new people.
We'll cover key vocabulary for family members, friends, and romantic relationships, providing you with a solid foundation to express these important connections in your everyday conversations. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be equipped with the terms you need to talk about your family and relationships in Hungarian.
Let’s jump right in!
Family Members
Family is often described as the backbone of society, and in Hungarian culture, this is no different. Let's start with the basic terms for family members.
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| anya | ˈɒɲɒ | mother |
| apa | ˈɒpɒ | father |
| fiú | ˈfiːu | son |
| lány | laːɲ | daughter |
| testvér | ˈtɛstvɛːr | sibling |
| báty | bɑːt͡ɕ | brother |
| húg | huːɡ | sister |
| nagyszülő | ˈnɒɡsyːløː | grandparent |
| nagymama | ˈnɒɡimɒmɒ | grandmother |
| nagypapa | ˈnɒɡipɒpɒ | grandfather |
| unoka | ˈunokɒ | grandchild |
| unokaöccs | ˈunokɒøt͡ʃ | grandson |
| unokahúg | ˈunokɒhuːɡ | granddaughter |
| sógor | ˈʃoːɡor | brother-in-law |
| sógornő | ˈʃoːɡørnøː | sister-in-law |
| após | ˈɒpoːʃ | father-in-law |
| anyós | ˈɒnjoːʃ | mother-in-law |
As you can see, the vocabulary connects deeply with familial roles, and these terms can be used in various contexts.
Relationships
Next, let’s discuss vocabulary related to relationships, both friendly and romantic. Knowing these words will help you describe your social circles and significant others.
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| barát | ˈbɒrɑːt | friend (male) |
| barátnő | ˈbɑːrɑːtnøː | friend (female) |
| kedves | ˈkɛdʋɛʃ | dear, darling |
| szerető | ˈsɛrɛtøː | lover |
| házastárs | ˈhaːzɒstɒːrʃ | spouse |
| vőlegény | ˈvøːlɛɡeːɲ | fiancé (male) |
| menyasszony | ˈmɛnɪɒsːoɲ | fiancée (female) |
| ismerős | ˈiʃmɛrøːʃ | acquaintance |
| szomszéd | ˈsomseːd | neighbor |
| kolléga | ˈkolleːɡɒ | colleague |
| társ | tɑːrʃ | partner |
| barátság | ˈbɑːrɑːtʃaːɡ | friendship |
| szerelem | ˈsɛrɛlɛm | love |
| eljegyzés | ˈɛjɛɡzeːʃ | engagement |
| házasság | ˈhaːzɒʃːaːɡ | marriage |
| válás | ˈvaːlɒʃ | divorce |
These terms will help you communicate about your relationships and the important people in your life.
Exercises
To solidify your understanding of family and relationships, here are some exercises for you to practice.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct Hungarian word for family members based on the English clues provided.
1. Mother: ________
2. Grandfather: ________
3. Sister: ________
4. Brother-in-law: ________
Answers:
1. anya
2. nagypapa
3. húg
4. sógor
Exercise 2: Match the words
Match the Hungarian terms with their English equivalents.
1. barát
2. szerető
3. nagymama
4. házastárs
A. grandmother
B. spouse
C. friend (male)
D. lover
Answers:
1 - C
2 - D
3 - A
4 - B
Exercise 3: Translate the sentences
Translate the following sentences into Hungarian.
1. My mother is very kind.
2. He is my brother.
3. She is my friend.
4. They are my grandparents.
Answers:
1. Az anyám nagyon kedves.
2. Ő a bátyám.
3. Ő a barátnőm.
4. Ők a nagyszüleim.
Exercise 4: Create sentences
Use the vocabulary from the lesson to write three sentences about your family.
Example Responses:
1. Az apám orvos. (My father is a doctor.)
2. A húgom szép. (My sister is beautiful.)
3. A nagymamám süt sütit. (My grandmother bakes cookies.)
Exercise 5: Choose the right word
Select the correct Hungarian word to complete each sentence.
1. My (father) is very tall.
(apa / anya)
2. She is my (friend).
(barát / barátnő)
3. My (sister) is 10 years old.
(húg / báty)
4. We love our (grandparents).
(nagyszülők / unokák)
Answers:
1. apa
2. barátnő
3. húg
4. nagyszülők
Exercise 6: Conversation practice
Pair up with a partner and practice a short dialogue introducing your family using the vocabulary from the lesson.
Example Dialogue:
A: Szia! Ki az a lány? (Hi! Who is that girl?)
B: Ő a húgom. (She is my sister.)
A: És ki az a férfi? (And who is that man?)
B: Ő az apám. (He is my father.)
Exercise 7: Word search
Create a word search puzzle using the following terms: anya, apa, barát, nagymama, házastárs.
Solution:
List of words to find in the puzzle.
Exercise 8: Discussion questions
Discuss the following questions with a partner using Hungarian vocabulary.
1. Ki a legjobb barátod? (Who is your best friend?)
2. Hány testvéred van? (How many siblings do you have?)
3. Milyen a családod? (What is your family like?)
Exercise 9: Role play
Imagine you are at a family gathering. Introduce your family members to a new friend using Hungarian vocabulary.
Exercise 10: Vocabulary review
Review the vocabulary by writing a short paragraph about your family and friends in Hungarian.
Example Response:
Az apám jó ember. Az anyám kedves. Van egy testvérem, és ő a húgom. A barátom nagyon vicces.
In this lesson, you have learned essential vocabulary related to family and relationships in Hungarian. Practice these words and phrases, and you'll be well on your way to connecting with the Hungarian-speaking world. Remember, language is not just about words; it’s about the stories and connections they help us create.
Sources
- Learn How to Talk About Your Family in Hungarian
- Hungarian language - Wikipedia
- Family words in Hungarian
- I understand that the Hungarian and Finnish languages are related ...
Other Lessons
- Business and work
- Art and architecture
- Introduce yourself
- Love
- Drinks
- Animals
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Farewell
- Geography