Mi ez?
What is this?
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential way to ask for the name or identity of any object right in front of you.
- Means: 'What is this?' used to identify objects, food, or strange situations.
- Used in: Markets, restaurants, or when pointing at something unfamiliar in a museum.
- Don't confuse: With 'Mi az?', which means 'What is that?' (further away).
Explanation at your level:
Bedeutung
Asking for identification of an object.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Hungarians often use 'Mi ez?' as a way to start a conversation about food. If you ask this about a dish, be prepared for a long explanation of its history. In some regions, the intonation might be slightly different, but the phrase remains the primary way to express curiosity about the unknown. On Hungarian social media, 'Ez mi?' is a common comment on 'cursed' images or confusing news, functioning like 'WTF?'. Parents often use 'Mi ez?' when they find something they don't like, such as a mess or a bad grade.
The Pointing Rule
Always use 'Mi ez?' if you can touch the object. If you have to point across the room, use 'Mi az?'.
People vs. Objects
Never use 'Mi ez?' for a person. It's 'Ki ez?' (Who is this?).
Bedeutung
Asking for identification of an object.
The Pointing Rule
Always use 'Mi ez?' if you can touch the object. If you have to point across the room, use 'Mi az?'.
People vs. Objects
Never use 'Mi ez?' for a person. It's 'Ki ez?' (Who is this?).
Add 'a' for Nouns
If you name the object, don't forget the 'a': 'Mi ez a könyv?' (What is this book?).
The 'Surprise' Flip
Flip the order to 'Ez mi?' if you are genuinely shocked by what you are seeing.
Teste dich selbst
How do you ask 'What is this?' in a neutral way?
...
'Mi ez?' is the standard singular form for 'What is this?'.
Fill in the plural form: 'What are these?'
___ ezek?
In Hungarian, the question word 'mi' must also be pluralized to 'mik' if the subject is plural.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are pointing at a distant mountain.
'Az' is used for objects that are far away.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bocsánat, ___ a gyümölcs? B: Ez egy alma.
When followed by a noun like 'gyümölcs', you need 'mi ez a'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, in the 3rd person singular present tense, the verb 'to be' is omitted in Hungarian for identification.
Use the plural form: 'Mik ezek?'.
No, it's a neutral and standard way to ask for information.
Yes, if something strange is happening, you can ask 'Mi ez?' to mean 'What's going on?'.
'Mi ez?' is for identification. 'Micsoda?' is more like 'What?!' or 'What a...!' expressing surprise.
Use 'Mi az?'.
Yes, it's a common informal variation that emphasizes the object.
Use 'Ki ez?' (Who is this?).
Add 'legyen szíves' (please) or 'meg tudná mondani' (could you tell me).
Yes, but usually as part of a longer sentence like 'Kérdéses, hogy mi ez a jelenség'.
Yes, in the past tense you must use the verb: 'Mi volt ez?'.
Yes, 'Mi ez a zaj?' (What is this noise?) is very common.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mi az?
contrastWhat is that?
Mik ezek?
specialized formWhat are these?
Micsoda?
similarWhat? / What on earth?
Ki ez?
similarWho is this?
Mi újság?
builds onWhat's up?
Ez miért van?
builds onWhy is this?
Wo du es verwendest
At the Market
Learner: Bocsánat, mi ez?
Vendor: Ez egy csípős paprika.
In a Restaurant
Guest: Mi ez a levesben?
Waiter: Az csak egy kis zeller.
Receiving a Gift
Friend A: Boldog születésnapot!
Friend B: Köszönöm! Mi ez?
Finding a Lost Item
Colleague: Találtam valamit a földön.
You: Mi ez? Egy kulcs?
Tech Issues
User: Mi ez a kék képernyő?
IT Support: Sajnos ez egy hiba.
Art Gallery
Visitor: Megkérdezhetem, mi ez a szobor?
Guide: Ez egy modern alkotás.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Me? Easy!' - When you see something, it's 'Me' (Mi) and it's 'Easy' (Ez) to ask what it is.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant question mark (?) standing on a small 'E' shaped pedestal. The question mark is the 'Mi' and the 'E' is the 'Ez'.
Rhyme
Mi ez? / Egy mézes. (What is this? / A honey-cake.)
Story
A traveler enters a Hungarian market. He sees a purple vegetable. He points and says 'Mi ez?'. The vendor smiles and says 'Karalábé'. He repeats 'Mi ez?' for everything until his basket is full.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Go to a Hungarian news site or Instagram page. Point at 5 different objects in photos and say 'Mi ez?' out loud, then try to find the Hungarian word for them.
In Other Languages
¿Qué es esto?
Spanish requires the verb 'to be'.
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
French uses a fixed multi-word formula.
Was ist das?
German requires 'ist' and often uses 'das' generically.
Kore wa nan desu ka?
Japanese uses grammatical particles and politeness markers.
Ma hadha?
Very similar structure (Zero Copula).
Zhè shì shénme?
Word order and the requirement of the verb 'shì'.
Ige mwoyeyo?
Korean requires a verb ending for politeness.
O que é isto?
Portuguese uses a definite article before 'what'.
Easily Confused
Learners think it's just a longer version of 'Mi?'.
Use 'Micsoda' when you didn't hear someone or are very shocked. Use 'Mi ez' to identify an object.
Learners use it to mean 'What is this?'.
'Mi van?' means 'What's happening?' or 'What's the matter?'. It's not for identifying objects.
FAQ (12)
No, in the 3rd person singular present tense, the verb 'to be' is omitted in Hungarian for identification.
Use the plural form: 'Mik ezek?'.
No, it's a neutral and standard way to ask for information.
Yes, if something strange is happening, you can ask 'Mi ez?' to mean 'What's going on?'.
'Mi ez?' is for identification. 'Micsoda?' is more like 'What?!' or 'What a...!' expressing surprise.
Use 'Mi az?'.
Yes, it's a common informal variation that emphasizes the object.
Use 'Ki ez?' (Who is this?).
Add 'legyen szíves' (please) or 'meg tudná mondani' (could you tell me).
Yes, but usually as part of a longer sentence like 'Kérdéses, hogy mi ez a jelenség'.
Yes, in the past tense you must use the verb: 'Mi volt ez?'.
Yes, 'Mi ez a zaj?' (What is this noise?) is very common.
