Significado
Traditional well-wish for longevity or celebrations.
Contexto cultural
Name Days (Névnap) are often celebrated with as much enthusiasm as birthdays. It is common to give small gifts like flowers or chocolate to colleagues on their name day. When toasting and saying 'Isten éltessen', you must look the other person in the eye. This is a very strong social rule in Hungary. In Transylvania, traditional 'köszöntő' (greeting) songs often incorporate 'Isten éltessen' into long, rhyming verses that can last several minutes. The 'celebrated person' (ünnepelt) is usually the one who hosts the party or brings food to the office, which is the opposite of many Western cultures.
The 'Sokáig' Rule
Adding 'sokáig' (for a long time) makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It completes the rhythm of the phrase.
Eye Contact
If you say this while toasting, do not look at the floor or your glass. Look the person in the eyes!
Significado
Traditional well-wish for longevity or celebrations.
The 'Sokáig' Rule
Adding 'sokáig' (for a long time) makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It completes the rhythm of the phrase.
Eye Contact
If you say this while toasting, do not look at the floor or your glass. Look the person in the eyes!
Name Day Ninja
Check a Hungarian calendar app. Wishing a Hungarian acquaintance 'Isten éltessen' on their name day is the fastest way to win their friendship.
Religious Neutrality
Don't worry about the religious aspect. It's as secular as 'Goodbye' in English. Everyone uses it.
Ponte a prueba
Which phrase is the most appropriate for a friend's birthday?
Ma van a barátod születésnapja. Mit mondasz?
'Isten éltessen sokáig!' is the standard birthday wish. 'Boldog Karácsonyt' is for Christmas, 'Jó étvágyat' is for eating, and 'Egészségedre' is for toasting or sneezing.
Complete the formal version of the wish.
Tisztelt Igazgató Úr! Isten _________ a névnapján!
When speaking formally (to an 'Igazgató Úr'), we use the 3rd person form 'éltesse' instead of the informal 'éltessen'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are clinking glasses with a friend who just turned 30.
This is the perfect phrase for a birthday toast.
What is the most natural response to 'Isten éltessen!'?
A: Isten éltessen sokáig! B: _________!
When someone wishes you a long life, the most polite response is 'Thank you very much'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to say Isten éltessen!
Birthdays
- • Family
- • Friends
- • Kids
Name Days
- • Colleagues
- • Acquaintances
- • Neighbors
Toasts
- • Parties
- • Dinners
- • Celebrations
Formal vs Informal
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMa van a barátod születésnapja. Mit mondasz?
'Isten éltessen sokáig!' is the standard birthday wish. 'Boldog Karácsonyt' is for Christmas, 'Jó étvágyat' is for eating, and 'Egészségedre' is for toasting or sneezing.
Tisztelt Igazgató Úr! Isten _________ a névnapján!
When speaking formally (to an 'Igazgató Úr'), we use the 3rd person form 'éltesse' instead of the informal 'éltessen'.
Situation: You are clinking glasses with a friend who just turned 30.
This is the perfect phrase for a birthday toast.
A: Isten éltessen sokáig! B: _________!
When someone wishes you a long life, the most polite response is 'Thank you very much'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's equally common for Name Days (Névnap) and can be used for any personal milestone like an anniversary.
Not at all. It is a cultural formula used by everyone, including atheists.
'éltessen' is informal (te), while 'éltesse' is formal (Ön). Use the latter for people you don't know well or superiors.
Yes, it's very common to say it to children, often followed by a small gift.
Simply say 'Köszönöm!' or 'Köszönöm szépen!'.
Yes, if you know it's the person's birthday or name day, 'Isten éltesse!' is a very polite addition.
It's a joke wishing the person such a long life that their ears (which grow with age) reach their ankles.
It's better to use 'Sok boldogságot!' for a wedding, but you can use 'Isten éltessen titeket!' as well.
Not really a slang version, but 'Isten éltessen, öregem!' (Happy Birthday, my old man/friend) is very casual.
Hungarians love their pets, so saying 'Isten éltessen' to a dog on its 'birthday' is a cute, common thing to do!
Frases relacionadas
Boldog születésnapot!
synonymHappy Birthday
Boldog névnapot!
similarHappy Name Day
Egészségedre!
builds onTo your health
Éljen!
similarLong live!
Sok boldogságot!
similarMuch happiness
