When you're talking about learning or studying in Hungarian, you'll use the verb tanul. This is a versatile word, and it can mean both 'to study' and 'to learn'.
You might use it to say 'I am studying Hungarian' (magyarul tanulok) or 'She is learning to play the piano' (zongorázni tanul). It's a regular verb, so its conjugations follow predictable patterns, which makes it easier to pick up.
Remember that the context will usually make it clear whether someone is studying a subject or actively acquiring a new skill.
§ What 'tanul' means and when to use it
The Hungarian verb tanul (pronounced: TAH-nool) is a foundational word you'll need right away. It means 'to study' or 'to learn'. Think of it as the go-to verb for anything involving acquiring knowledge, skills, or information.
- DEFINITION
- To gain knowledge or skill by instruction, study, or experience. To commit to memory.
You use tanul when you are actively engaged in the process of learning something. This could be:
- Learning a new language
- Studying for an exam
- Learning to play an instrument
- Acquiring a new skill, like cooking or coding
It's a versatile verb, much like 'to learn' or 'to study' in English. You won't often hear a native Hungarian speaker using a different verb for these contexts. If you're wondering how to say you're 'learning' or 'studying' something, tanul is almost always the correct choice.
Én magyarul tanulok.
I study/learn Hungarian.
Ő vizsgára tanul.
He/She studies for an exam.
A gyerekek olvasni tanulnak.
The children learn to read.
When you're first starting out, understanding the core meaning is key. Tanul is one of those verbs you'll use daily if you're serious about learning Hungarian. It directly translates your effort into action. So, when you tell someone you are learning Hungarian, you'll say "Magyarul tanulok." The '-ok' ending on tanulok tells us that 'I' am the one doing the learning.
The beauty of tanul is its simplicity and directness. Unlike some English phrases that might imply learning (e.g., 'picking up a language'), tanul explicitly states the act of learning or studying. There's no ambiguity. If you're sitting with books, attending a class, or actively trying to acquire a new skill, you are tanul-ing.
- COMMON USAGES
- Learning a language: Nyelvet tanulni
- Studying at school/university: Iskolában/egyetemen tanulni
- Learning a skill: Valamit megtanulni (the 'meg-' prefix adds completion, 'to learn something completely')
The verb tanul is a regular, or indefinite, conjugation verb in Hungarian when it comes to objects. This means if the thing you are learning is general (like 'Hungarian' or 'for an exam'), it will use a specific set of endings. If you were learning a very specific, defined thing (like 'that particular song'), it might use different endings, but don't stress about that for now. For A1 level, focus on general learning contexts.
Szeretek új dolgokat tanulni.
I like to learn new things.
This sentence structure is very common. The infinitive form tanulni (to learn) is used after verbs like 'szeret' (to like/love).
So, whether you're cracking open a grammar book or trying to understand a Hungarian conversation, you are actively using the concept of tanul. Embrace it, use it, and you'll quickly find it becomes second nature in your Hungarian vocabulary.
§ What 'tanul' Means
- Hungarian Word
- tanul
- CEFR Level
- A1
- Definition
- Studies; learns
Alright, let's talk about the Hungarian word tanul. This is a super practical verb you'll hear all the time. Simply put, it means 'to study' or 'to learn.' Just like in English, you use it when someone is in school, picking up a new skill, or trying to understand something new. It's one of those foundational words you absolutely need to know if you're serious about speaking Hungarian.
§ In a School Setting
The most obvious place you'll hear tanul is in school. Whether it's a child in elementary school or a university student, they are all tanuling. It's used for learning subjects, preparing for exams, or generally engaging in academic pursuits.
A gyerekek sokat tanulnak az iskolában. (The children learn a lot in school.)
Anna magyarul tanul a nyelviskolában. (Anna studies Hungarian at the language school.)
You might also hear it in questions like 'What are you studying?' or 'Where did you learn that?'
Mit tanulsz? (What are you studying/learning?)
Hol tanultad ezt? (Where did you learn this?)
§ In a Work Context
Even in a professional setting, tanul is relevant. People are always learning new skills, software, or procedures to improve at their jobs. This isn't just for students; lifelong learning is a big deal.
Új szoftvert tanulok a munkahelyen. (I am learning new software at work.)
A csapatnak tanulnia kell az új protokollokat. (The team needs to learn the new protocols.)
§ In the News and Everyday Talk
You'll also come across tanul in news reports or general conversations, especially when discussing educational initiatives, new discoveries, or even just someone's personal growth.
A tudósok sokat tanulnak a Földről. (Scientists learn a lot about the Earth.)
Én mindig szeretek új dolgokat tanulni. (I always like to learn new things.)
It's important to differentiate tanul from other verbs that might seem similar but have different nuances. For example, while 'to read' (olvas) might be part of studying, tanul implies the act of gaining knowledge or a skill, not just consuming information.
- When you're actively trying to understand a new concept, you tanul.
- If you're in a classroom, you are probably tanuling something.
- When you acquire a new skill, like playing an instrument or coding, you tanul.
So, next time you hear someone talking about gaining knowledge or acquiring a skill, listen for tanul or one of its many forms. It's a cornerstone of daily communication in Hungarian, especially when it comes to education and personal development. Keep practicing these examples, and you'll get comfortable using it in no time!
Ejemplos por nivel
Ő tanul.
He/she learns.
Én tanulok magyarul.
I learn Hungarian.
Te tanulsz angolul?
Do you (informal singular) learn English?
Mi tanulunk a könyvből.
We learn from the book.
Ti tanultok otthon.
You (informal plural) learn at home.
Ők tanulnak a suliban.
They learn at school.
A gyerek tanul.
The child learns.
A diákok tanulnak.
The students learn.
Consejos
Basic use of 'tanul'
The verb 'tanul' means to study or to learn. You'll use it all the time when talking about education or acquiring knowledge.
Conjugating 'tanul'
Like most Hungarian verbs, 'tanul' changes endings based on the subject. For 'én' (I), it's 'tanulok'. For 'te' (you, singular informal), it's 'tanulsz'.
Talking about subjects
To say you are studying a specific subject, you'll often use the accusative case. For example, 'Én magyart tanulok.' (I study Hungarian.)
Where you study
You can mention the place where you study. 'A könyvtárban tanulok.' (I study in the library.) Remember 'ban/ben' for 'in'.
Learning a skill
'Tanul' is also used for learning skills. 'Autót tanulok vezetni.' (I'm learning to drive a car.) Notice 'vezetni' (to drive) is in the infinitive.
Past tense of 'tanul'
The past tense is 'tanultam' (I studied/learned). 'Tegnap sokat tanultam.' (Yesterday I studied a lot.)
Future tense of 'tanul'
For future tense, you'll use 'fog' with the infinitive. 'Holnap fogok tanulni.' (Tomorrow I will study.)
Don't confuse with 'oktat'
Be careful not to confuse 'tanul' (to learn/study) with 'oktat' (to teach). The roles are different!
Importance of 'tanulás'
Learning ('tanulás') is highly valued in Hungarian culture, often seen as a lifelong pursuit.
Derived words from 'tanul'
You'll see words like 'tanulmány' (study/research) or 'tanuló' (student/learner) derived from 'tanul'.
Ponte a prueba 18 preguntas
Én magyarul ___.
The verb 'tanulni' (to study/learn) conjugates to 'tanulok' for the first person singular ('Én' - I).
Ők a könyvtárban ___.
For the third person plural ('Ők' - They), the verb 'tanulni' conjugates to 'tanulnak'.
Ti mit ___?
The correct conjugation for the second person plural ('Ti' - You all) is 'tanultok'.
A diákok keményen ___ a vizsgára.
'A diákok' (The students) is plural, so it takes the third person plural form 'tanulnak'.
Mi együtt ___.
For the first person plural ('Mi' - We), the verb 'tanulni' conjugates to 'tanulunk'.
Te is magyarul ___?
The second person singular ('Te' - You) requires the 'tanulsz' form.
The typical Hungarian sentence structure is Subject-Verb-Object, though it's flexible. Here, 'Ők' (They) is the subject, 'tanulnak' (study/learn) is the verb, and 'magyarul' (Hungarian) is the object/adverb.
Here, 'A diákok' (The students) is the subject, 'szorgalmasan' (diligently) is an adverb, 'tanulnak' (study/learn) is the verb, and 'a könyvtárban' (in the library) is a place adverbial.
'Én' (I) is the subject, 'szeretnék' (would like) is the auxiliary verb, 'többet' (more) is an adverb, 'tanulni' (to learn) is the infinitive, and 'a magyar történelemről' (about Hungarian history) is the object.
Mielőtt külföldre költözött, hosszú ideig ___ magyarul.
The past tense form 'tanult' (studied/learned) is needed here to match 'Mielőtt külföldre költözött' (Before he/she moved abroad).
A gyerekek gyorsan ___ új dolgokat, különösen, ha játékos formában vannak prezentálva.
The present tense plural 'tanulnak' (they learn) is appropriate for 'A gyerekek' (The children) when talking about a general ability.
Ha keményen ___ a vizsgákra, biztosan sikerülni fog.
The second person singular present tense 'tanulsz' (you study/learn) fits the conditional statement 'Ha keményen...' (If you study hard...).
Szeretném, ha mindenki komolyan ___ a feladatokat.
The conditional form 'tanulmányozná' (would study/learn) is used here to express a wish or desire, matching 'Szeretném, ha...' (I would like it if...).
Évek óta ___ gitározni, de még mindig van hova fejlődnöm.
The first person singular present tense 'tanulok' (I am learning) is correct here, indicating an ongoing action by the speaker ('Évek óta...' - For years...).
Fontos, hogy az ember egész életében ___ és nyitott maradjon az új ismeretekre.
The subjunctive mood 'tanuljon' (should study/learn) is used after 'Fontos, hogy...' (It is important that...) to express a general necessity or recommendation.
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
Basic use of 'tanul'
The verb 'tanul' means to study or to learn. You'll use it all the time when talking about education or acquiring knowledge.
Conjugating 'tanul'
Like most Hungarian verbs, 'tanul' changes endings based on the subject. For 'én' (I), it's 'tanulok'. For 'te' (you, singular informal), it's 'tanulsz'.
Talking about subjects
To say you are studying a specific subject, you'll often use the accusative case. For example, 'Én magyart tanulok.' (I study Hungarian.)
Where you study
You can mention the place where you study. 'A könyvtárban tanulok.' (I study in the library.) Remember 'ban/ben' for 'in'.
