Bedeutung
Explaining your limited language proficiency.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Hungarians are very proud of their language's difficulty. Using this phrase often earns you immediate respect and a warmer reception. In Hungarian-speaking parts of Romania, the language is a key part of ethnic identity. Foreigners speaking even a little Hungarian are treated with great hospitality. Among expats, this phrase is often used as a humorous 'badge of honor' for those who have survived their first few months in the city. In places like Cleveland or Sao Paulo, 2nd or 3rd generation Hungarians often use this phrase to connect with their heritage.
The Smile Factor
Always smile when saying this. It signals that you are happy to be learning, which makes people much more patient.
Don't Overuse
Once the conversation is flowing in English, you don't need to keep repeating it. Use it once as an opener.
Bedeutung
Explaining your limited language proficiency.
The Smile Factor
Always smile when saying this. It signals that you are happy to be learning, which makes people much more patient.
Don't Overuse
Once the conversation is flowing in English, you don't need to keep repeating it. Use it once as an opener.
Accept Compliments
Hungarians will often say 'Nagyon jól beszélsz!' (You speak very well!) even if you only said five words. Just say 'Köszönöm!'
Word Order
If you want to sound more natural, you can say 'Beszélek egy kicsit magyarul'—adding 'egy' (a) makes it sound slightly more fluid.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing suffix for the language.
Kicsit beszélek magyar__.
The suffix -ul is used for 'magyar' because it contains back vowels (a).
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I speak a little Hungarian'?
Select the best option:
This uses the correct adverbial form 'kicsit' and the correct suffix '-ul'.
Match the Hungarian word to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the core components of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
Pincér: Mit kér? Tanuló: Egy vizet kérek. ________ beszélek magyarul.
In this context, 'Kicsit' is the most appropriate way to signal you are a learner.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Kicsit vs. Picit
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKicsit beszélek magyar__.
The suffix -ul is used for 'magyar' because it contains back vowels (a).
Select the best option:
This uses the correct adverbial form 'kicsit' and the correct suffix '-ul'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the core components of the phrase.
Pincér: Mit kér? Tanuló: Egy vizet kérek. ________ beszélek magyarul.
In this context, 'Kicsit' is the most appropriate way to signal you are a learner.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenThe phrase is 'magyarul beszélek'. 'Magyarul' is the adverb, and 'beszélek' is the verb.
It's better to use 'Kicsit beszélek magyarul' in speech. In a letter, use 'Magyar nyelvtudásom alapszintű' (My Hungarian knowledge is basic).
Then say 'Nem beszélek magyarul.' Don't use 'kicsit' or they will keep talking to you!
Because 'magyarul' is an adverb (how you speak), not an object (what you speak). Adverbs take the indefinite conjugation.
Not at all! It's very polite and shows humility.
Kicsit beszélek angolul.
'Picit' is just a more informal, 'smaller' version of 'kicsit'.
No, the '-ek' ending on 'beszélek' already tells everyone that 'I' am the one speaking.
Almost never. Hungarians are usually very impressed that anyone tries to learn their language.
Yes, but it sounds like you are emphasizing that *Hungarian* is the language you speak a little of (as opposed to other languages).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Nem beszélek magyarul.
contrastI don't speak Hungarian.
Tanulok magyarul.
similarI am learning Hungarian.
Hogy mondják...?
builds onHow do they say...?
Értem.
similarI understand.
