Bedeutung
It is a possible outcome.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the early 20th century, Budapest was the 'City of Coffee Houses.' Card games were the primary entertainment, leading to many gambling metaphors entering the language. Hungarians often prefer to acknowledge the possibility of failure (pessimism/realism) to avoid 'elkiabálni' (jinxing) something. Hungarian sports commentators use this phrase constantly to avoid making definitive predictions, reflecting a national caution about sports success. Unlike the French deck (Hearts, Spades, etc.), Hungarian cards use Acorns, Bells, Leaves, and Hearts. The 'pakli' refers to this specific 32-card deck.
Use it for bad news
It's a great way to soften the blow when discussing potential problems. It sounds more objective than just being negative.
Don't say 'kártyákban'
While English says 'in the cards' (plural), Hungarian almost always uses 'pakliban' (singular, the deck).
Bedeutung
It is a possible outcome.
Use it for bad news
It's a great way to soften the blow when discussing potential problems. It sounds more objective than just being negative.
Don't say 'kártyákban'
While English says 'in the cards' (plural), Hungarian almost always uses 'pakliban' (singular, the deck).
The 'Maybe' culture
Hungarians rarely give a 100% 'yes' for future plans. Using this phrase makes you sound much more like a local.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Sajnos a vereség is benne van a _______.
The idiom specifically uses 'pakliban' (in the deck).
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'It might rain'?
Hogyan mondjuk természetesen: 'Maybe it will rain'?
While 'Talán' is correct, 'Benne van a pakliban' is the idiomatic, natural way to express possibility.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: Szerinted megnyerik a meccset? B: Igen, ______ (it was in the cards) már az elejétől.
The speaker is referring to a possibility that existed from the beginning (past tense).
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Which situation best fits 'Ez is benne van a pakliban'?
The phrase is used for uncertain outcomes and risks.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSajnos a vereség is benne van a _______.
The idiom specifically uses 'pakliban' (in the deck).
Hogyan mondjuk természetesen: 'Maybe it will rain'?
While 'Talán' is correct, 'Benne van a pakliban' is the idiomatic, natural way to express possibility.
A: Szerinted megnyerik a meccset? B: Igen, ______ (it was in the cards) már az elejétől.
The speaker is referring to a possibility that existed from the beginning (past tense).
Which situation best fits 'Ez is benne van a pakliban'?
The phrase is used for uncertain outcomes and risks.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends. It's not slang, but it's not stiffly formal either.
Yes! 'A győzelem is benne van a pakliban' (Victory is also in the cards) is perfectly fine.
It means a 'deck' or 'pack' of cards.
You say 'Ez nincs benne a pakliban' or 'Ez kiesett a pakliból.'
Both are correct, but 'Benne van a pakliban' is the standard word order.
Yes, use 'Benne volt a pakliban' to mean 'It was a possibility.'
Yes, it is a timeless idiom used by all generations.
No, it's strictly related to card games and probability, not fortune-telling.
You can, and people will understand, but 'pakliban' is much more common.
Sports and weather are the two most frequent areas where you'll hear this.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kiesett a pakliból
contrastIt is no longer a possibility.
Megvan rá az esély
synonymThere is a chance for it.
Kétesélyes
similarTwo-way / Could go either way.
Benne van a kártyában
similarIt's in the cards.
Ez is bejátszhat
specialized formThis might also play in.
