Impressive facts about the Hungarian language

Facts about the Hungarian language

The Hungarian language, with its complex grammar and unique vocabulary, stands as a linguistic outlier in Europe. It belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family, sharing distant roots with Finnish and Estonian. This relationship, however, is not immediately obvious due to the languages’ divergent evolution.

Hungary’s population, numbering around 10 million, primarily speaks this language. Hungarian speakers are also found in neighboring countries and diasporas worldwide, maintaining the language’s vibrancy outside its homeland. Its use in various communities underscores its importance to Hungarian identity.

Vocabulary in Hungarian is known for its ability to create new words through agglutination. This process involves combining smaller units of meaning to form complex expressions. Such flexibility allows for precise communication and the constant evolution of the language.

Pronunciation for newcomers can be challenging due to its unique sounds and stress patterns. Hungarian places stress on the first syllable of each word, a rule that simplifies learning once understood. Mastery of pronunciation offers a satisfying achievement for learners.

Grammar in Hungarian is marked by its use of cases. With around 18 cases, the language uses suffixes to express relationships between words, eliminating the need for prepositions. This feature, although daunting for learners, adds to the language’s expressiveness and precision.

Culturally, Hungarian is a gateway to understanding Hungary’s rich history and traditions. Literature, music, and folk art are deeply intertwined with the language, offering insights into the national psyche. Through learning Hungarian, one gains access not only to a new mode of communication but also to the soul of Hungary.

Hungarian for beginners is one of over 50 free language packs that you can get from us.

‘50LANGUAGES’ is the effective way to learn Hungarian online and for free.

Our teaching materials for the Hungarian course are available both online and as iPhone and Android apps.

With this course you can learn Hungarian independently - without a teacher and without a language school!

The lessons are clearly structured and will help you achieve your goals.

Learn Hungarian fast with 100 Hungarian language lessons organized by topic.