Sample Hungarian Lesson

We offer a variety of classes. The greatest difference between them is Saturday’s lesson. The following is a sample of the lesson you receive each Saturday in the Mega Course.

Sample Lesson – Week 8

Last week, I told you about some website that you can use to enhance your “Hungarian experience.” I hope you liked them. Now, let’s see how much you know about Hungarian history. It is important to know about a nation’s past in order to understand their thinking. Our National Anthem says so much about us; I would like you to read it. Since it is hard to get poems in this email in the proper form, click here: You will find two great translations there too, as well as some background. Enjoy!

Now our weekly grammar.

You have learned that “van” is the third person singular form of the verb “to be.” However, it also denotes possession. You can use it to indicate that you or (someone else) have something. Let’s see some simple examples.

Van egy kutyám. – I have a dog.

The sentence starts with “van,” because I’m emphasizing the possession aspect. “Egy” is used to indicate that I have “one,” “a”/”an.” “Kutya,” as you know, means “dog” and the “m” added to the end means it’s mine. That’s all there is to it.

So how would you change this sentence to mean “You have a dog?” Just one letter makes all the difference.

Van egy kutyád. – The end of the word “kutya” has changed, and the “d” means it is yours. Easy enough, isn’t it?

How about questions?

Van kutyád? – Do you have a dog?
We left out “egy,” because we do not know if the person has a dog, two dogs, three dogs or no dog at all.

Let’s practice that, while reviewing our vocabulary.  Translate the following sentences:

  • Van egy nagyon kedves testvérem.
  • A húgom, Klári, nagyon okos.
  • Undok vagy!
  • Ő nem magyar.
  • Amerikai vagy?
  • Szeretem a szürkét.
  • Te szereted a kéket és a lilát?
  • Van testvéred?
  • Zoli az apád testvére?
  • Hogy van Bori?

You can now compose more complex sentences too.

E.g. Van magas, barna nő a családodban? – Is there a/Are there any tall, brown haired woman/women in your family?

Let’s try a practice test:

Which one of the following means exactly the same as its English counterpart?

  1. I have a big family.

    2. A. Nagy családom van.
    B. Nagy a családom.

  2. I have a big, brown dog.

    3. A. Van egy nagy, barna kutyám.
    B. Nagy, barna a kutyám.

  3. My mother is short and slim.

    4. A. Az anyám alacsony és sovány.
    B. Sovány és alacsony anyám van.

  4. I am tall, average and kind.

    5. A. Az én vagyok a magas, átlagos és kedves.
    B. Magas, átlagos és kedves vagyok.

  5. He is goodhearted, but not smart.

    6. A. Jószívű, de nem okos.
    B. Van egy jószívű, de nem okos ő.

If you did not have time to practice during the week and this test was not as easy as usual, take the extra time today to review what you need to. Keep track of your progress. Flashcards are the best! “See” you on Monday!