Bedeutung
Expressing disbelief or shock.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Hungarians often use this phrase with a sigh. It's part of the 'complaining culture' where expressing disbelief at bad luck is a way to bond with others. In some rural areas, you might hear 'Nem hiszem meg' as a dialectal variation, though 'Nem hiszem el' is understood everywhere. In the capital, the phrase is often shortened in fast speech to sound like 'Nemhisz'mel'. Younger generations often mix it with English or use 'Ne már' for a cooler, more detached vibe.
The 'Shock' Face
In Hungary, this phrase is almost always accompanied by raised eyebrows or a slight shake of the head.
Word Order
Never say 'Nem elhiszem'. The 'nem' always pushes the 'el' to the back.
Bedeutung
Expressing disbelief or shock.
The 'Shock' Face
In Hungary, this phrase is almost always accompanied by raised eyebrows or a slight shake of the head.
Word Order
Never say 'Nem elhiszem'. The 'nem' always pushes the 'el' to the back.
Adding 'Ezt'
Start with 'Ezt...' (Ezt nem hiszem el!) to sound 100% more like a native speaker when you are really annoyed.
Teste dich selbst
Which is the correct way to say 'I don't believe it' in Hungarian?
A: Nem hiszek el. B: Nem hiszem el. C: El nem hiszem. D: Nem elhiszem.
B is correct because it uses the definite conjugation (hiszem) and the correct word order (Nem + Verb + Prefix).
Complete the sentence with the missing word.
Nem ______ el, hogy ilyen meleg van!
The phrase requires the first-person singular definite form 'hiszem'.
Match the reaction to the situation.
Situation: You find 10,000 Forints on the street.
Finding money is a surprising and positive event, making 'Nem hiszem el!' the perfect reaction.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Képzeld, megházasodtam! B: _________! Gratulálok!
This expresses the appropriate level of shock for a sudden wedding announcement.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Nem hiszem el'
Surprise
- • Lottery win
- • Surprise party
- • Magic trick
Frustration
- • Traffic jam
- • Broken phone
- • Rainy holiday
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenA: Nem hiszek el. B: Nem hiszem el. C: El nem hiszem. D: Nem elhiszem.
B is correct because it uses the definite conjugation (hiszem) and the correct word order (Nem + Verb + Prefix).
Nem ______ el, hogy ilyen meleg van!
The phrase requires the first-person singular definite form 'hiszem'.
Situation: You find 10,000 Forints on the street.
Finding money is a surprising and positive event, making 'Nem hiszem el!' the perfect reaction.
A: Képzeld, megházasodtam! B: _________! Gratulálok!
This expresses the appropriate level of shock for a sudden wedding announcement.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot really. It's an exclamation. In an email, use 'Sajnálattal értesültem róla' (I was sorry to hear) or 'Meglepődve olvastam' (I read with surprise).
'Nem hiszem el' is a personal reaction (I don't believe it), while 'Hihetetlen' is a description of the event (It is unbelievable).
Because you are believing a specific thing (the news), which requires the definite conjugation in Hungarian.
No, it's not rude, but it can be informal. Use it with friends and colleagues freely.
No, if you want to say 'I don't believe you', say 'Nem hiszek neked'.
You can say 'Nem hiszek a szememnek!'.
Yes, 'Ne már!' or 'Ne szórakozz!' (Don't play with me/Don't joke).
No, most of the time it just means you are surprised by the situation.
Absolutely! It's very common for winning, gifts, or surprises.
Then you say 'Nem hiszek Istenben'. No 'el' and no definite conjugation.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Hihetetlen
similarUnbelievable
Ne már
synonymNo way / Come on
Elhiszem
contrastI believe it
Nem hiszek neked
specialized formI don't believe you
Kizárt
similarExcluded / Impossible
