iroda
iroda in 30 Sekunden
- Iroda means office, a place for professional or administrative work.
- It is derived from the verb 'ír' (to write), meaning 'writing place'.
- The final 'a' lengthens to 'á' when suffixes are added (e.g., irodában).
- It is used for businesses and agencies, while 'hivatal' is for government.
The Hungarian word iroda is a fundamental noun that every learner encounters early in their journey. At its most basic level, it refers to an office—a physical space where administrative, professional, or clerical work is conducted. However, in the Hungarian linguistic landscape, the term carries a weight of history and specific cultural nuances that go beyond just a room with a desk. It is derived from the Hungarian verb ír (to write), combined with the noun-forming suffix -da, which denotes a place where a specific activity occurs. Thus, etymologically, an iroda is literally a 'writing place.' This connection to the act of writing highlights the historical importance of documentation and bureaucracy in Central European culture.
- Primary Physical Meaning
- A room or building used for business or professional activities. This can range from a small home office to a massive corporate headquarters.
In modern usage, iroda is used whenever you are referring to a professional setting that isn't a factory, a shop, or a field. If you work on a computer, handle paperwork, or meet clients in a structured environment, you are in an iroda. It is important to distinguish this from munkahely, which means 'workplace' in a general sense. While a construction site is a munkahely, it is certainly not an iroda.
Az új iroda a belvárosban található, közel a metrómegállóhoz.
- Institutional Meaning
- The word can also represent an entire organization or a specific department, such as a 'tourist office' (utazási iroda) or a 'law office' (ügyvédi iroda).
Hungarians often view the iroda as a place of formality. When you enter an office in Hungary, there is often a distinct shift in register from informal to neutral or formal. Even in the age of 'home office' (a term Hungarians have adopted directly from English), the conceptual 'iroda' remains the hub of professional identity. Interestingly, the word is quite flexible; it can describe the glamorous glass skyscrapers of the 13th district in Budapest or the dusty, paper-filled room of a village notary.
Sajnos elfelejtettem a kulcsaimat az irodában.
Beyond the physical, iroda appears in many compound words. An irodaház is an entire office building, while irodaszer refers to office supplies like pens and paper. The versatility of the word makes it a cornerstone of Hungarian business vocabulary. Whether you are discussing your daily commute, looking for a lawyer, or booking a holiday, you will inevitably find yourself using this word. It bridges the gap between the mundane act of sitting at a desk and the complex structures of modern society.
Az utazási iroda segített lefoglalni a repülőjegyet.
- Administrative Context
- In government contexts, 'iroda' might refer to a specific bureau, such as the 'Bevándorlási és Állampolgársági Hivatal' (though 'hivatal' is more common for large agencies, smaller branches are often 'irodák').
Az iroda nyitvatartása hétfőtől péntekig tart.
Melyik emeleten van az iroda?
Using the word iroda correctly requires an understanding of Hungarian noun declension, specifically how vowel harmony and the final vowel change affect the word. Since iroda ends in a short 'a', this 'a' will always lengthen to 'á' whenever any suffix is added. This is a crucial rule for beginners to master. Let's look at the most common cases you will encounter when talking about an office.
- Location: In the Office
- To say 'in the office', we use the suffix -ban (because 'iroda' contains back vowels: i, o, a). The result is irodában.
Péter egész nap az irodában dolgozik a jelentésen.
- Direction: To the Office
- To say 'to the office' (into the space), we use -ba. The result is irodába.
Reggel nyolckor indulok az irodába.
Possession is another common area where iroda is used. If you want to say 'my office', 'your office', etc., you add the possessive suffixes. Note again the 'a' to 'á' change: irodám (my office), irodád (your office), irodája (his/her/its office). The third-person singular -ja is particularly important when talking about a company's office.
A cég új irodája sokkal tágasabb, mint a régi.
- Plurals: Offices
- The plural form is irodák. If you are talking about multiple offices in different cities, this is the form you use.
When using iroda as an adjective in a compound noun, it often stays in its base form. For example, irodai munka (office work) or irodai szék (office chair). Here, irodai is the adjective form created by adding -i.
Nem szeretem az irodai munkát, mert túl sokat kell ülni.
Kérlek, gyere be az irodámba egy percre!
Finally, consider the distinction between iroda and dolgozószoba. While iroda is used for professional, commercial spaces, dolgozószoba (literally: working room) is more commonly used for a study or a home office in a residential setting, though iroda is becoming more common even there due to English influence.
The word iroda is ubiquitous in Hungarian daily life, appearing in professional, commercial, and administrative contexts. If you live or work in a Hungarian city, you will see this word on signs, hear it in conversations about work, and encounter it when dealing with any kind of bureaucracy. Understanding where you'll hear it helps you grasp the social structure of Hungary.
- In the Corporate World
- In districts like Budapest's Váci út corridor, 'irodaház' (office building) is the dominant term. You'll hear employees talking about 'menni az irodába' (going to the office) or 'az irodai légkör' (the office atmosphere).
Hungarians place a high value on official documentation. Therefore, any place that issues papers is an iroda. When you are applying for a residence permit, you might visit the Bevándorlási Iroda. When you are looking for an apartment, you deal with an ingatlaniroda (real estate office). In these contexts, the word signifies authority and the formal process of Hungarian life.
Az ingatlaniroda jutaléka általában három százalék.
- Public Services and Tourism
- Tourists will frequently see 'Tourinform Iroda' signs. These are official tourist information offices. Similarly, 'postahivatal' is the post office, but people might refer to the internal 'iroda' of a large post branch.
In casual conversation, the word is often used to complain about the 'irodai bürokrácia' (office bureaucracy) or to discuss the benefits of 'irodai munka' (office work) versus physical labor. It's also common in the context of 'irodai pletyka' (office gossip), a staple of any workplace culture. If someone says 'Beszéltem az irodával' (I spoke with the office), they usually mean they spoke with the administrative staff or management of a company.
A Tourinform iroda a főtéren van, a templom mellett.
You will also hear the term in academic settings. Professors have an iroda or a tanszéki iroda (departmental office) where they hold office hours. Students often have to visit the Tanulmányi Osztály (Registrar's Office), which is the most feared and respected iroda in any university student's life. The word carries a sense of 'the place where decisions are made and recorded'.
A professzor irodája a második emeleten, a folyosó végén található.
- News and Media
- News reports often mention 'elnöki iroda' (presidential office) or 'sajtóiroda' (press office) when citing official statements.
Az elnöki iroda tegnap este közleményt adott ki.
Even though iroda seems like a straightforward translation of 'office', English speakers often trip up on its grammatical behavior and its conceptual boundaries in Hungarian. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Hungarian sound much more natural and precise.
- The 'a' to 'á' Vowel Lengthening
- The most frequent mistake is forgetting to change the final 'a' to 'á' when adding suffixes. Learners often say *'irodaban'* or *'irodaba'*. In Hungarian, a final 'a' or 'e' almost always lengthens before a suffix. The correct forms are irodában and irodába.
Another mistake is confusing iroda with munkahely. While they are related, they are not interchangeable. Munkahely is your 'place of work' in general. If someone asks 'Hol van a munkahelyed?' (Where is your workplace?), you can answer with a company name or a location. If you say 'Az irodában vagyok' (I am in the office), you are specifying the type of room you are in. A doctor might have a rendelő (consulting room) as their munkahely, but they wouldn't usually call it an iroda unless they are doing paperwork there.
Rossz: Az irodaban vagyok. Helyes: Az irodában vagyok.
- Overusing 'Iroda' for 'Home Office'
- While 'iroda' can be used for a home office, Hungarians have specifically adopted the English term 'home office' to describe the act of working from home. If you say 'Az irodámban vagyok' at home, people might think you have a dedicated professional suite. To say 'I am working from home today', use 'Ma home office-ban vagyok' or 'Ma itthonról dolgozom'.
Using the wrong 'in/to' suffixes is also common. Because iroda is considered an enclosed space, you must use the 'in/into/from inside' group of suffixes (-ban/-ben, -ba/-be, -ból/-ből). Do not use the 'on/onto/from the surface' group (-on/-en/-ön, -ra/-re, -ról/-ről) unless you are literally talking about being on top of the office building roof!
Rossz: Megyek az irodára. Helyes: Megyek az irodába.
Lastly, English speakers often forget that Hungarian doesn't use the possessive 's' like 'the office's door'. Instead, it uses the possessive construction: az iroda ajtaja. Getting the word order and the suffix on the second noun right is a common struggle. Remember: [Owner] + [Owned + Possessive Suffix].
Az iroda ablaka a parkra néz.
To truly master Hungarian, you need to know when iroda is the right word and when a synonym or a more specific term is required. Hungarian is a language of precision, and using the exact word for a workplace or administrative space will greatly improve your fluency.
- Iroda vs. Hivatal
- This is the most important distinction. Iroda is generally for private businesses, agencies, and small departments. Hivatal (Bureau/Authority) is for government institutions, official state bodies, and large-scale public administration. You go to an ügyvédi iroda (law office), but you go to the Polgármesteri Hivatal (Mayor's Office).
Another common alternative is munkahely. As mentioned before, this is a broad term for 'workplace'. It is used when discussing your job in general, your commute, or your employment status. If someone asks 'Milyen a munkahelyed?' they are asking what it's like to work at your company, not just about the physical office space.
A hivatal csak délig fogad ügyfeleket.
- Dolgozószoba
- This literally means 'working room'. It is the traditional term for a study or a home office. While 'iroda' is used for professional business spaces, 'dolgozószoba' feels more personal and domestic.
For specific professional settings, Hungarian uses specialized terms. A doctor works in a rendelő (consulting room/clinic). A scientist works in a laboratórium or labor (laboratory). An artist works in a műterem (studio). A craftsman works in a műhely (workshop). Using iroda for these spaces would be technically incorrect.
A festő egész nap a műtermében dolgozik.
- Ügynökség
- This means 'agency'. While an agency has an 'iroda' (physical space), the organization itself is an 'ügynökség'. For example, 'reklámügynökség' (advertising agency).
In summary, while iroda is a versatile and common word, being aware of hivatal, munkahely, dolgozószoba, and műhely will help you navigate Hungarian society with much greater precision. Each word carries a specific social and professional weight that 'iroda' alone cannot convey.
Szeretem a dolgozószobámat, mert ott csend van.
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The root 'ír' (to write) is actually an old Turkic loanword in Hungarian, dating back to before the Magyars arrived in the Carpathian Basin. The suffix '-da' was popularized during the language reform to create names for places of activity (like 'nyomda' for printing house).
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the 'i' as a long 'ee' (like 'eat'). It should be short.
- Stressing the second or third syllable. Always stress the first.
- Failing to lengthen the final 'a' to 'á' when adding suffixes.
- Pronouncing 'r' as an English 'r'. It must be tapped or trilled.
- Making the 'o' sound like an 'u'.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Very easy to recognize, often appears in clear contexts.
Requires remembering the 'a' to 'á' vowel lengthening.
Initial stress and short 'i' are key for a native sound.
Distinct sound, easy to pick out in conversation.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Vowel Lengthening (a -> á)
iroda + -ban = irodában
Vowel Harmony (Back Vowels)
iroda + -ba (not -be)
Possessive Suffixes
irodám, irodád, irodája
Definite Article with Vowels
Az iroda (not 'A iroda')
Adjective formation with -i
iroda -> irodai
Beispiele nach Niveau
Ez az iroda nagyon szép.
This office is very nice.
Simple nominative case. 'Ez' means 'this'.
Hol van az iroda?
Where is the office?
The definite article 'az' is used before 'iroda' because it starts with a vowel.
Az iroda zárva van.
The office is closed.
'Zárva van' is a common way to say something is in a state of being closed.
Ez egy kicsi iroda.
This is a small office.
The adjective 'kicsi' (small) comes before the noun.
Az irodában vagyok.
I am in the office.
Note the 'a' to 'á' change and the '-ban' suffix for 'in'.
Megyek az irodába.
I am going to the office.
The suffix '-ba' means 'into'. Vowel lengthening occurs.
Az iroda tiszta.
The office is clean.
Simple predicate adjective construction.
Szia, ez az irodám.
Hi, this is my office.
'-m' is the possessive suffix for 'my'. Final 'a' becomes 'á'.
Az iroda a második emeleten van.
The office is on the second floor.
Use '-en' for 'on' with 'emelet' (floor).
Kijövök az irodából.
I am coming out of the office.
'-ból' means 'out of'. Vowel lengthening occurs.
Az irodánk Budapesten található.
Our office is located in Budapest.
'-nk' is the suffix for 'our'. 'Található' means 'is found/located'.
Szeretnék egy saját irodát.
I would like my own office.
Accusative case: 'irodát'. Final 'a' becomes 'á'.
Mikor nyit az iroda?
When does the office open?
The verb 'nyit' is used for opening times.
Az irodában nincs kávé.
There is no coffee in the office.
'Nincs' is the negative form of 'van' (is).
Az irodába busszal megyek.
I go to the office by bus.
'-val/-vel' is the instrumental case ('by' or 'with').
Ez az utazási iroda nagyon jó.
This travel agency is very good.
'Utazási iroda' is a common compound for travel agency.
Az irodai munka néha unalmas.
Office work is sometimes boring.
'Irodai' is the adjective form ('office-related').
Új irodaszereket kell rendelnünk.
We need to order new office supplies.
'Irodaszer' is a compound: iroda + szer (tool/stuff).
Az irodaház előtt van egy parkoló.
There is a parking lot in front of the office building.
'Irodaház' means office building. 'Előtt' is the postposition for 'in front of'.
Az irodavezetővel kell beszélned.
You need to speak with the office manager.
'Irodavezető' is a compound: iroda + vezető (leader/manager).
Az irodánkban mindenki kedves.
Everyone is kind in our office.
Possessive + Case: iroda + -nk (our) + -ban (in) = irodánkban.
Keresek egy kiadó irodát a belvárosban.
I am looking for an office for rent in the city center.
'Kiadó' means 'for rent' or 'to let'.
Az iroda berendezése nagyon modern.
The office's furnishing is very modern.
Possessive construction: iroda + berendezése (its furnishing).
Tegnap egész este az irodában maradtam.
Yesterday I stayed in the office all evening.
Past tense verb 'maradtam' (I stayed).
Az irodai hierarchia elég szigorú ebben a cégnél.
The office hierarchy is quite strict at this company.
'Irodai' acts as an adjective modifying 'hierarchia'.
Az iroda bérleti díja havonta emelkedik.
The office's rent is increasing every month.
'Bérleti díj' is the term for rent (lease fee).
A home office miatt az iroda gyakran üres.
Because of home office, the office is often empty.
'Miatt' is the postposition for 'because of'.
Az irodai környezet nagyban befolyásolja a produktivitást.
The office environment greatly influences productivity.
'Nagyban' is an adverb meaning 'greatly' or 'to a large extent'.
Szeretnénk az irodánkat zöldebbé tenni.
We would like to make our office greener.
'-bbé tenni' is the factitive construction (to make something more X).
Az irodai pletykák sokszor félrevezetőek.
Office rumors are often misleading.
'Pletyka' means gossip or rumor.
Az iroda felújítása három hónapig tartott.
The office's renovation lasted for three months.
'Felújítás' means renovation or refurbishment.
Az irodában tilos a dohányzás.
Smoking is forbidden in the office.
'Tilos' means forbidden or prohibited.
Az irodai bürokrácia útvesztőiben könnyű elveszni.
It is easy to get lost in the mazes of office bureaucracy.
'Útvesztő' is a poetic word for maze or labyrinth.
Az iroda kialakítása tükrözi a cég innovatív szemléletét.
The office's layout reflects the company's innovative perspective.
'Szemlélet' means perspective, approach, or mindset.
Az irodai etikett betartása alapvető elvárás.
Following office etiquette is a basic expectation.
'Elvárás' means expectation.
Az iroda fenntartási költségei jelentősen megterhelik a költségvetést.
The office's maintenance costs significantly burden the budget.
'Megterhel' means to burden or strain.
Az irodai légkör feszültté vált a leépítések hírére.
The office atmosphere became tense at the news of layoffs.
'Leépítés' is the formal word for layoffs or downsizing.
Az iroda funkciója alapjaiban változott meg az utóbbi években.
The office's function has fundamentally changed in recent years.
'Alapjaiban' means fundamentally or at its core.
Az irodai ergonómia kulcsfontosságú az egészség megőrzésében.
Office ergonomics is crucial for maintaining health.
'Kulcsfontosságú' means key or crucial.
Az irodában tapasztalható fluktuáció aggodalomra ad okot.
The turnover experienced in the office gives cause for concern.
'Fluktuáció' is the professional term for employee turnover.
Az iroda rideg falaiból áradó személytelenség nyomasztóan hatott rá.
The impersonality emanating from the office's cold walls had a depressing effect on him.
Highly descriptive literary style with multiple modifiers.
Az iroda, mint a modern rabszolgaság szimbóluma, gyakori téma a kortárs irodalomban.
The office, as a symbol of modern slavery, is a frequent theme in contemporary literature.
Complex apposition and sociological terminology.
Az irodai automatizáció térnyerése feleslegessé teszi bizonyos munkaköröket.
The gain in ground of office automation makes certain job roles redundant.
'Térnyerés' means expansion or gaining ground.
Az iroda falai között zajló intrikák aláássák a csapatszellemet.
The intrigues taking place within the office walls undermine team spirit.
'Aláás' means to undermine (literally: to dig under).
Az iroda puszta léte a fizikai jelenlét fontosságát hirdeti a digitális korban.
The office's mere existence proclaims the importance of physical presence in the digital age.
'Puszta' means mere or pure; 'hirdet' means to proclaim.
Az irodai adminisztráció racionalizálása elengedhetetlen a hatékonyság növeléséhez.
The rationalization of office administration is indispensable for increasing efficiency.
'Elengedhetetlen' means indispensable or essential.
Az iroda belsőépítészeti megoldásai a transzparenciát és az együttműködést szolgálják.
The office's interior design solutions serve transparency and cooperation.
'Belsőépítészeti' means interior design related.
Az irodai létformából adódó mozgásszegény életmód súlyos egészségügyi kockázatokat rejt.
The sedentary lifestyle resulting from the office way of life hides serious health risks.
'Mozgásszegény' means sedentary (literally: movement-poor).
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— I am in the office (currently at work). Used to state location.
Most nem tudok beszélni, mert benn vagyok az irodában.
— I am going to the office. Indicates movement towards work.
Szia, már megyek az irodába, majd később hívlak.
— He/she works in an office environment. Describes job type.
A fiam irodai környezetben dolgozik, nem kint a terepen.
— During office hours. Refers to the standard working window.
Kérlek, irodai órák alatt hívj az ügyben.
— Within the office walls. Often implies things that stay at work.
Ami az iroda falai között történik, az ott is marad.
— Closed office. Can mean a private room or that the office is not open.
A főnöknek zárt irodája van a folyosó végén.
— Open-plan office. A workspace with no walls between desks.
Sokan nem szeretnek nyitott irodában dolgozni a zaj miatt.
— Office equipment. Things like printers, scanners, etc.
Az irodai eszközök karbantartása fontos feladat.
— Office working hours. Usually 9 AM to 5 PM.
A rugalmas irodai munkaidő nagyon népszerű manapság.
— Office administration. The paperwork side of a business.
Az irodai adminisztráció sok időt vesz igénybe.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Means 'literature'. It comes from the same root (ír - to write), but refers to books and poems, not a workspace.
Means 'workplace'. It is a broader category; an office is a type of workplace.
Means 'official bureau'. Use this for government buildings, not private businesses.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— Office rat. A derogatory or self-deprecating term for someone who spends all their time in an office.
Nem akarok egész életemben irodai patkány lenni.
informal— To decide from behind the desk. Implies making decisions without knowing the practical reality.
Könnyű az íróasztal mögül dönteni, de a valóság más.
neutral— To drown someone in paperwork. Common in office settings.
Az új iroda teljesen elfojt minket a papírmunkában.
informal— To do something 'from the office' (officially/by duty), not out of personal interest.
Nem kedvességből segített, csak hivatalból tette.
neutral— Over office coffee. Implies a casual workplace conversation.
Ezt majd megbeszéljük az irodai kávé mellett.
informal— The soul of the office. Refers to a person who keeps everyone happy and organized.
Kati az iroda lelke, mindenki szereti őt.
informal— To be stuck in an office chair. Implies being overworked or sedentary.
Ma egész nap az irodai székbe voltam ragadva.
informal— Through official channels. Related to the concept of 'hivatal/iroda'.
Ezt az ügyet csak hivatalos úton lehet elintézni.
formal— Office dust. Sometimes used metaphorically for the boredom of office life.
Ki kell mennem a szabadba, elegem van az irodai porból.
informal— File-pusher. A negative term for someone who does meaningless administrative work.
Azt hiszik, csak egy aktatologató vagyok az irodában.
informal/slangLeicht verwechselbar
Contains the same root 'író'.
An írógép is a typewriter (a machine), while an iroda is a room (a place).
Régen minden irodában volt egy írógép.
Often found inside an iroda.
An íróasztal is the physical desk you sit at. An iroda is the room itself.
Az irodában van az íróasztalom.
Sounds like 'irodaszer'.
Írószer specifically means 'writing tools' (pens, pencils). Irodaszer is 'office supplies' (staplers, paper, pens).
Vettem néhány új írószert a tolltartómba.
Related root.
An irat is a document or record. An iroda is where you process these documents.
Sok fontos irat van az irodában.
Both are institutional buildings.
Iskola is for studying (school). Iroda is for working (office).
A gyerek iskolába megy, az apa irodába.
Satzmuster
Ez egy [adjective] iroda.
Ez egy nagy iroda.
Az irodában [activity] vagyok.
Az irodában dolgozni vagyok.
Az iroda [location] található.
Az iroda a főtéren található.
Szeretek/Nem szeretek [adjective] irodában dolgozni.
Nem szeretek zajos irodában dolgozni.
Az iroda kialakítása [verb] a [noun].
Az iroda kialakítása segíti a csapatmunkát.
Az irodai létforma [verb] a [noun].
Az irodai létforma meghatározza a mindennapjainkat.
Megyek az [adjective] irodába.
Megyek az új irodába.
Az irodámban van [noun].
Az irodámban van egy kényelmes szék.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Extremely high in urban and professional settings.
-
irodaban
→
irodában
You must lengthen the final 'a' to 'á' when adding a suffix.
-
Megyek az irodára.
→
Megyek az irodába.
Offices are enclosed spaces, so use '-ba' (into), not '-ra' (onto).
-
A iroda
→
Az iroda
Use 'az' because 'iroda' starts with a vowel.
-
iroda munka
→
irodai munka
You need the adjective form '-i' to say 'office work'.
-
Hol van a te iroda?
→
Hol van az irodád?
Hungarian uses possessive suffixes (-ád) rather than just personal pronouns before the noun.
Tipps
Master the Vowel Lengthening
Always remember that 'iroda' + suffix = 'irodá...'. This applies to plural (irodák), possessive (irodám), and all cases (irodát, irodába, irodában, etc.). It is the most important rule for this word.
Iroda vs. Irodaház
Use 'iroda' for the room or the company unit. Use 'irodaház' when you are talking about the entire physical building structure.
Office Coffee Culture
If you are invited for 'egy kávéra az irodába', it's a common way to have a semi-formal meeting or a casual chat with a colleague. Coffee is central to Hungarian office life.
Job Titles
Many job titles start with 'irodai', like 'irodai asszisztens' (office assistant). If you are looking for work, this is a key keyword to search for.
Stress the Start
Don't let the three syllables fool you into stressing the middle. It's 'I-ro-da', with a strong emphasis on the first 'I'.
Formal Addresses
In formal letters, you might see 'Tisztelt Iroda!' (Honored Office!) if the writer doesn't know the specific person's name they are contacting.
Home Office Usage
Don't be surprised to hear 'Ma home office-ban vagyok'. Hungarians use the English term 'home office' almost exclusively for the concept of remote work.
The 'ír' Connection
Remembering that 'ír' means 'to write' will help you connect 'iroda' with other words like 'íróasztal' (desk) and 'irat' (document).
Vowel Harmony
Because 'iroda' has back vowels (o, a), it will almost always take the 'a' version of suffixes (-ban, -ba, -ról, -nál).
Kiadó Iroda
If you see a sign saying 'Kiadó Iroda', it means 'Office for Rent'. 'Kiadó' is a very useful word to know when apartment or office hunting.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a giant 'I' (the letter) sitting on a 'ROD' in an 'A'-frame office. I-ROD-A. Or think: 'I wrote a' (Iroda) report in the office.
Visuelle Assoziation
Visualize a classic wooden desk with a quill pen (representing 'ír' - to write) inside a modern glass office building.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to name five things you can find in an 'iroda' in Hungarian (e.g., szék, asztal, számítógép, papír, toll).
Wortherkunft
The word 'iroda' was created during the Hungarian Language Reform (nyelvújítás) in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was intentionally coined to replace foreign (Latin or German) terms for administrative spaces.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A place for writing.
Uralic (Hungarian), though the word itself is a modern construction from an ancient root.Kultureller Kontext
Be careful not to call a high-ranking government department just an 'iroda' if 'Minisztérium' (Ministry) or 'Hivatal' is more appropriate, as it might sound diminishing.
Unlike the English 'office', which can also mean a position of authority (e.g., 'the office of the President'), 'iroda' almost always refers to the physical place or the administrative unit. For the abstract 'position', Hungarians use 'tisztség' or 'hivatal'.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Business/Work
- Mikor mész az irodába?
- Az iroda a harmadikon van.
- Irodai munkát keresek.
- Az iroda ma zárva tart.
Real Estate
- Kiadó irodát keresünk.
- Mekkora az iroda alapterülete?
- Modern irodaház a belvárosban.
- Az iroda bérleti díja magas.
Travel
- Hol van az utazási iroda?
- Az iroda segített a vízummal.
- Melyik irodával utaztok?
- Az iroda prospektusokat adott.
Law/Legal
- Az ügyvédi iroda címe megváltozott.
- Holnap megyek az irodába aláírni.
- Az iroda munkatársai segítenek.
- Sikeres ügyvédi irodájuk van.
Education
- A tanári iroda a földszinten van.
- Menj be a tanulmányi irodába!
- A professzor az irodájában van.
- Az iroda nyitvatartása változott.
Gesprächseinstiege
"Milyen messze van az irodád az otthonodtól?"
"Szeretsz irodában dolgozni, vagy inkább otthonról?"
"Hányan dolgoztok egy irodában?"
"Milyen a kilátás az irodád ablakából?"
"Van kávégép az irodátokban?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Írd le a kedvenc irodai eszközödet és azt, hogy miért hasznos.
Milyen lenne számodra az álom iroda? Írd le részletesen!
Hasonlítsd össze az irodai munkát a fizikai munkával!
Mesélj egy vicces történetről, ami az irodában történt veled.
Hogyan változott meg az irodák szerepe a világjárvány óta?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenHungarian does not have grammatical gender. 'Iroda' is treated the same regardless of who uses it or what it refers to. The only thing that matters is vowel harmony for suffixes.
In Hungarian, when a word ends in a short 'a' or 'e', that vowel always lengthens to 'á' or 'é' when any suffix is attached. This is a fundamental rule of the language.
Yes, you can, but it's more common to use the English loanword 'home office' as a noun or 'dolgozószoba' if it's a dedicated study room.
'Iroda' is for private businesses, agencies, and small departments. 'Hivatal' is for government agencies and official state institutions like the tax office or mayor's office.
The word is 'irodaház'. It combines 'iroda' (office) and 'ház' (house/building).
Yes, it is one of the most common nouns in Hungarian, especially in urban environments and professional contexts.
You say 'az irodám'. Note the definite article 'az' and the lengthening of the 'a' to 'á'.
Yes! Both come from the root 'ír' (to write). An 'iroda' is a place for writing (administrative), and 'irodalom' is the collection of things written (artistic).
It is a travel agency. 'Utazási' means 'travel-related'.
Yes, it can. For example, 'Sajtóiroda' (Press Office) or 'Tanulmányi Iroda' (Study Office/Registrar).
Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen
Write a sentence using 'irodában'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
How would you ask 'Where is your office?' in Hungarian?
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Translate: 'I am going to the office by bus.'
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Write: 'The office building is very modern.'
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Translate: 'We need new office supplies.'
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How do you say 'I don't like office work'?
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Write: 'My office is on the third floor.'
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Translate: 'The travel agency is closed today.'
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Write: 'The office manager is friendly.'
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Translate: 'I have a meeting in the office at 10.'
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Write a short sentence about an 'ügyvédi iroda'.
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How do you say 'I work in a home office'?
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Translate: 'There are many offices in this building.'
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Write: 'The office's window looks onto the park.'
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Translate: 'I forgot my keys in the office.'
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Write: 'The office is open from Monday to Friday.'
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Translate: 'Office work can be stressful.'
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Write: 'I am looking for a small office for rent.'
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Translate: 'The company's office is in Budapest.'
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Write: 'The office atmosphere is very good.'
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Say 'I am in the office' in Hungarian.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'I am going to the office' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Ask 'Where is the travel agency?' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'This is my office' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'I like office work' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'I work in an office building' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Ask 'When does the office open?' in Hungarian.
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Say 'The office is very large' in Hungarian.
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Say 'I am coming from the office' in Hungarian.
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Say 'We need office supplies' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Ask 'Who is the office manager?' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'The office is closed today' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'There is no coffee in the office' in Hungarian.
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Say 'I am looking for an office for rent' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'The office is on the second floor' in Hungarian.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'I work in home office today' in Hungarian.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'The office atmosphere is friendly' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'I left my phone in the office' in Hungarian.
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Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'The office windows are large' in Hungarian.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say 'I am going to the office by car' in Hungarian.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Listen and write: 'Az iroda tiszta.'
Listen and write: 'Holnap az irodában leszünk.'
Listen and write: 'Az utazási iroda zárva.'
Listen and write: 'Megyek az irodába dolgozni.'
Listen and write: 'Az irodám a belvárosban van.'
Listen and write: 'Szeretem az irodai munkát.'
Listen and write: 'Az irodaszerek a szekrényben vannak.'
Listen and write: 'Az irodavezetővel beszéltem.'
Listen and write: 'Ez egy modern irodaház.'
Listen and write: 'Nincs több papír az irodában.'
Listen and write: 'Kiadó irodát keresünk Pesten.'
Listen and write: 'Az iroda ajtaja zárva volt.'
Listen and write: 'Ma home office-ban vagyok.'
Listen and write: 'Az ügyvédi iroda a sarkon van.'
Listen and write: 'Az irodai pletyka nem jó.'
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'iroda' is the essential term for any professional office setting in Hungary. Crucially, when adding location suffixes, the final 'a' becomes 'á' (irodában, irodába, irodából). Example: 'Az irodában várlak' (I am waiting for you in the office).
- Iroda means office, a place for professional or administrative work.
- It is derived from the verb 'ír' (to write), meaning 'writing place'.
- The final 'a' lengthens to 'á' when suffixes are added (e.g., irodában).
- It is used for businesses and agencies, while 'hivatal' is for government.
Master the Vowel Lengthening
Always remember that 'iroda' + suffix = 'irodá...'. This applies to plural (irodák), possessive (irodám), and all cases (irodát, irodába, irodában, etc.). It is the most important rule for this word.
Iroda vs. Irodaház
Use 'iroda' for the room or the company unit. Use 'irodaház' when you are talking about the entire physical building structure.
Office Coffee Culture
If you are invited for 'egy kávéra az irodába', it's a common way to have a semi-formal meeting or a casual chat with a colleague. Coffee is central to Hungarian office life.
Job Titles
Many job titles start with 'irodai', like 'irodai asszisztens' (office assistant). If you are looking for work, this is a key keyword to search for.