Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Tele van' to describe anything that is full, from a glass of water to a crowded bus or a busy schedule.
- Means: It is full or occupied (max 15 words)
- Used in: Restaurants, public transport, and describing containers (max 15 words)
- Don't confuse: Use 'Jól laktam' for being full after eating (max 15 words)
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
A container or place is occupied.
Contexto cultural
Hungarians value hospitality. A 'tele' plate is a sign of a good host. It is often considered rude to leave a plate empty too quickly, as the host will immediately refill it. During rush hour, 'tele van' is a constant state. There is a specific etiquette for pushing into a 'tele' tram—always say 'Bocsánat' (Sorry). The term 'Telt ház' is a point of pride. Even small town theaters strive for a 'full house,' reflecting the country's deep love for performing arts. In villages, 'tele van a padlás' (the attic is full) often refers to having plenty of smoked meats and supplies for the winter, symbolizing security.
The -val/-vel trick
Always remember to add -val/-vel to the noun if you say what it's full of. 'Tele van vízzel.'
Avoid 'Tele vagyok'
Unless you want to sound like a gas tank, use 'Jól laktam' at the dinner table.
The -val/-vel trick
Always remember to add -val/-vel to the noun if you say what it's full of. 'Tele van vízzel.'
Avoid 'Tele vagyok'
Unless you want to sound like a gas tank, use 'Jól laktam' at the dinner table.
Signage
If you see a sign saying 'MEGTELT' at a hotel, don't go in; they have no rooms!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of 'van' or 'nincs'.
A pohár tele ____ vízzel. (The glass is full of water.)
The subject 'a pohár' is 3rd person singular, so we use 'van'.
Which sentence is correct for saying you are full after a meal?
Ebéd után mit mondasz?
Hungarians use 'Jól laktam' to express satiety after eating.
Match the Hungarian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the pairs:
These are common variations and idioms using the concept of 'tele'.
Complete the dialogue at the bus stop.
A: Jön a busz! Felszállunk? B: Nem, nézd, ____.
If the bus is full, you wouldn't want to get on.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosA pohár tele ____ vízzel. (The glass is full of water.)
The subject 'a pohár' is 3rd person singular, so we use 'van'.
Ebéd után mit mondasz?
Hungarians use 'Jól laktam' to express satiety after eating.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are common variations and idioms using the concept of 'tele'.
A: Jön a busz! Felszállunk? B: Nem, nézd, ____.
If the bus is full, you wouldn't want to get on.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasOnly metaphorically (e.g., 'tele van energiával'). For hunger, use 'jól laktam'.
They are variations of the same word. 'Tele' is more common as a standalone adjective, while 'teli' is often used in compounds like 'telitalálat' (bullseye).
It's informal and shows frustration. It's not a swear word, but it's not polite either.
You say 'félig van'.
Frases relacionadas
Megtelt
similarIt has become full
Telt ház
specialized formFull house
Tele van a hócipőm
idiomI am fed up
Színültig
similarTo the brim
Üres
contrastEmpty
Dónde usarla
Catching a Tram
A: Felszállunk erre a villamosra?
B: Nem, nézd, teljesen tele van. Várjuk meg a következőt.
At a Restaurant
Vendég: Jó estét! Van szabad asztaluk két főre?
Pincér: Sajnos ma este tele vagyunk, minden asztal foglalt.
Drinking with Friends
Péter: Kérsz még egy kis bort?
János: Nem, köszi, még tele van a poharam.
Frustration at Work
Kolléga: Megcsinálod ezt a jelentést is?
Te: Ne is mondd! Tele van a hócipőm a túlórával.
Digital Storage
Barát: Miért nem készítesz fotót?
Én: Mert tele van a telefonom memóriája.
Parking
Sofőr: Be tudunk állni ebbe a garázsba?
Utas: Nem, ki van írva, hogy tele van.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a 'TELEphone' booth that is so 'TELE' (full) of people that you can't even get in to make a call.
Asociación visual
Imagine a giant Hungarian snow-boot (hócipő) filled to the top with heavy, wet snow. This helps you remember 'tele van' for physical fullness and the idiom for being fed up.
Rhyme
Tele a tál, üres a kanál. (The bowl is full, the spoon is empty.)
Story
You are at a busy Budapest bus stop. The '7-es busz' arrives. You look at the windows and see people pressed against the glass. You sigh and say 'Tele van.' You decide to walk to a cafe, but the sign on the door says 'Megtelt.' Your day is 'tele' with bad luck!
In Other Languages
Similar to the English 'full of it' or German 'voll sein,' though the Hungarian 'hócipő' (snow-boot) version is unique to the local climate and culture.
Word Web
Desafío
Go through your kitchen and point at 5 items. Say 'Tele van' if they are full or 'Nincs tele' if they are empty.
Review this phrase every time you see a crowded public space or fill a glass of water.
Pronunciación
Both 'e' sounds are short and open, like the 'e' in 'pet'.
The 'a' is a short, rounded back vowel, similar to the 'o' in 'hot' (British English).
Espectro de formalidad
Sajnáljuk, az éttermünk megtelt. (Dining out)
Az étterem tele van. (Dining out)
Tele van a hely, menjünk máshova. (Dining out)
Fullon van a kecó. (Dining out)
Derived from the Proto-Uralic root *tele, which has cognates in Finnish (täysi) and Estonian (täis).
Dato curioso
The word 'tele' is one of the few Hungarian words that has remained almost unchanged for over 3,000 years.
Notas culturales
Hungarians value hospitality. A 'tele' plate is a sign of a good host. It is often considered rude to leave a plate empty too quickly, as the host will immediately refill it.
“Egyél még, tele van a tál!”
During rush hour, 'tele van' is a constant state. There is a specific etiquette for pushing into a 'tele' tram—always say 'Bocsánat' (Sorry).
“Bocsánat, tele van a villamos, de fel kell szállnom.”
The term 'Telt ház' is a point of pride. Even small town theaters strive for a 'full house,' reflecting the country's deep love for performing arts.
“Minden este telt házzal játszunk.”
In villages, 'tele van a padlás' (the attic is full) often refers to having plenty of smoked meats and supplies for the winter, symbolizing security.
“Nálunk tele van a padlás kolbásszal.”
Inicios de conversación
Tele van a busz reggelente?
Mivel van tele a táskád?
Volt már olyan, hogy tele volt a hócipőd a tanulással?
Errores comunes
Tele vagyok.
Jól laktam.
L1 Interference
A pohár tele vízzel.
A pohár tele van vízzel.
L1 Interference
Tele van a busz emberek.
Tele van a busz emberekkel.
L1 Interference
Tele van a hócipőm!
Tele van a hócipőm.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Está lleno
Spanish uses 'está' (temporary state), while Hungarian uses 'van' (general existence/state).
C'est plein
French often uses 'complet' for hotels or theaters where Hungarian uses 'megtelt'.
Es ist voll
German speakers also say 'Ich bin voll' for being full after food, which is a mistake in Hungarian.
いっぱい です (Ippai desu)
Japanese uses it for being full after a meal, unlike Hungarian.
ملآن (Mal'an)
Arabic often omits the verb 'to be' in the present tense entirely.
满了 (Mǎnle)
Chinese uses 'mǎn' as a verb/adjective without a separate 'to be' verb.
가득 차다 (Gadeuk chada)
Korean uses a verb 'chada' (to fill/be full) rather than an adjective + 'to be' construction.
Está cheio
Portuguese uses 'cheio de' + noun, similar to Hungarian's instrumental case.
Spotted in the Real World
“Tele van a város, de én téged kereslek.”
A popular pop song about looking for someone in a crowded city.
“Tele van a szerelvény, nem férünk fel.”
A scene in the Budapest metro where the ticket inspectors are dealing with crowds.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use 'Tele vagyok' to mean they are full after eating.
Remember: Containers are 'tele,' people are 'jól laktak.'
Both mean 'full' or 'complete' in English.
Use 'tele' for volume/capacity and 'teljes' for abstract completeness (e.g., full support).
Preguntas frecuentes (4)
Only metaphorically (e.g., 'tele van energiával'). For hunger, use 'jól laktam'.
usage contextsThey are variations of the same word. 'Tele' is more common as a standalone adjective, while 'teli' is often used in compounds like 'telitalálat' (bullseye).
grammar mechanicsIt's informal and shows frustration. It's not a swear word, but it's not polite either.
practical tipsYou say 'félig van'.
basic understanding
