A1 Expression خنثی

Mit jelent?

What does it mean?

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential survival phrase for asking the meaning of any Hungarian word or concept you don't understand yet.

  • Means: 'What does it mean?' or 'What does [this] signify?'
  • Used in: Classrooms, restaurants, reading signs, or during any conversation.
  • Don't confuse: Don't forget the '-t' on 'mit'; 'Mi jelent' is grammatically incorrect.
❓ + 📖 = Mit jelent?

Explanation at your level:

This is a basic question to ask for the meaning of a word. 'Mit' means 'what' (as an object), and 'jelent' means 'means'. You use it when you see a new word. It is very simple and very important for beginners to survive in Hungary.
At this level, you use 'Mit jelent?' to expand your vocabulary. You can add 'ez' (this) or 'az' (that) to point at things. You also learn to ask 'Mit jelent magyarul?' (What does it mean in Hungarian?) to clarify definitions within the language you are learning.
You can now use the phrase to ask about abstract concepts, like 'Mit jelent a boldogság?' (What does happiness mean?). You understand that 'mit' is in the accusative case and that the verb 'jelent' can be used with different subjects to ask about the significance of events or feelings.
At the B2 level, you distinguish between 'Mit jelent?' (literal meaning) and 'Mire utal?' (what it refers to). You can use the phrase in complex sentences, such as 'Nem vagyok biztos benne, hogy pontosan mit jelent ez a jogi szakkifejezés' (I'm not sure exactly what this legal technical term means).
You analyze the semantic range of 'jelenteni'. You recognize its use in reporting ('jelentést tesz') and how 'Mit jelent?' can be a rhetorical device in literary analysis or political discourse to question the underlying ideology of a text or a speaker's hidden intentions.
Mastery involves understanding the cognitive linguistics behind the root 'jel'. You can discuss how 'Mit jelent?' functions as a metalinguistic inquiry that probes the boundaries of Hungarian semiotics. You use it to navigate the most subtle nuances of archaic literature or contemporary postmodern prose with native-level intuition.

معنی

Asking for the meaning of a word.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

Hungarians value linguistic precision. Asking 'Mit jelent?' often triggers a very precise, dictionary-like response because people want to be helpful and accurate. In historic Budapest cafes, 'Mit jelent?' was the start of many literary debates. It's a phrase that invites discussion, not just a one-word answer. Many Hungarian words were 'invented' in the 19th century. Hungarians are aware that their words have specific 'meanings' designed to replace Latin or German terms. In villages, 'Mit jelent?' might be used more bluntly to question someone's strange behavior or presence.

💡

The Magic Key

This is the most useful phrase for a beginner. Don't be afraid to use it constantly!

⚠️

The Accusative 't'

Always remember the 't' in 'mit'. 'Mi jelent' sounds like 'What means' without the object marker, which is a common beginner error.

معنی

Asking for the meaning of a word.

💡

The Magic Key

This is the most useful phrase for a beginner. Don't be afraid to use it constantly!

⚠️

The Accusative 't'

Always remember the 't' in 'mit'. 'Mi jelent' sounds like 'What means' without the object marker, which is a common beginner error.

🎯

Add 'pontosan'

Say 'Mit jelent ez pontosan?' (What does this mean exactly?) to sound more like a native speaker.

💬

Be Ready for a Lecture

Hungarians love their language. Asking this might start a long, interesting conversation!

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the missing word to ask 'What does this mean?'

Ez ____ jelent?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: mit

We need the accusative form 'mit' because it is the object of the verb.

Which sentence is the most natural way to ask for a definition?

How do you ask what 'alma' means?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Mit jelent az alma?

'Mit jelent' is the standard phrase, and we usually add the article 'az' before the word.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Láttad azt a filmet? B: Igen, de nem értettem a végét. Ez ____ ____?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: mit jelentett

Since the movie is in the past, 'jelentett' (past tense) is the most appropriate, though 'jelent' is also acceptable.

Match the question to the situation.

You are at a museum and see a weird symbol.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Mit jelent ez a jel?

'Jel' means sign/symbol, so this is the perfect question.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Asking for Meaning vs. Translation

Mit jelent?
Asking for definition What is a 'kifli'?
Hogy mondják?
Asking for translation How do you say 'bread'?

سوالات متداول

14 سوال

Yes, it's very common and slightly emphasizes 'this'.

Because 'what' is the object of the verb 'to mean'. In Hungarian, objects get a '-t'.

Yes, it's neutral. To be extra polite, add 'legyen szíves' (please).

Only if you ask 'Mit jelentesz nekem?' (What do you mean to me?). You can't ask 'Mit jelent ő?' to mean 'Who is he?'.

'Jelent' is for the word's definition; 'akar mondani' is for what a person is trying to say.

Not really, but 'Mi van?' can sometimes mean 'What does this mean/What's going on?' in a very informal way.

Say 'Mit jelent ez a mondat?'.

Yes: 'Mit jelentett?'.

Yes, it can mean 'to report' (e.g., in the army or at school).

Just point at it and say 'Ez mit jelent?'.

Yes, it sounds more academic and formal.

Yes, this is a great way to ask about the meaning of someone's name.

Yes, to ask about the implications of a contract or data.

This is the subjunctive form, often used to express indignation or 'What is this supposed to mean?!'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

Mi a jelentése?

similar

What is its meaning?

🔗

Hogy mondják...?

similar

How do they say...?

🔗

Mire gondolsz?

related

What do you mean / What are you thinking?

🔗

Értem.

contrast

I understand.

🔗

Nem értem.

builds on

I don't understand.

🔗

Hogy érted?

specialized form

How do you mean it?

کجا استفاده کنیم

🥐

At the Bakery

Learner: Elnézést, mit jelent a 'pogácsa'?

Baker: Ez egy sós sütemény, nagyon finom!

neutral
📜

Reading a Menu

Tourist: Mit jelent a 'vadas marha'?

Waiter: Ez marhahús mártással és zsemlegombóccal.

neutral
🏫

In Class

Student: Tanár úr, mit jelent ez a kifejezés?

Teacher: Ez azt jelenti, hogy valami nagyon fontos.

formal
📱

Texting a Friend

Friend A: Megyünk ma bulizni?

Friend B: Mit jelent a 'bulizni'?

informal
🎬

Watching a Movie

Viewer: Mit jelentett az a nézés a végén?

Partner: Szerintem azt, hogy még mindig szereti.

neutral
🏥

At the Doctor

Patient: Mit jelent ez a lelet?

Doctor: Azt jelenti, hogy minden rendben van.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'MIT' (baseball glove) catching a 'J' (Jelent). You catch the meaning with your mitt!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant question mark made of Hungarian sausages (kolbász) pointing at a dictionary. The dictionary is glowing with the word 'JELENT'.

Rhyme

Mit jelent? / Kérdezd meg, ne félj tőle, szent!

Story

A traveler arrives in Budapest and sees the word 'Kijárat'. He points and asks 'Mit jelent?'. A friendly local says 'Exit!'. The traveler uses this phrase 100 times a day and becomes a master of Hungarian.

Word Web

jeljelentésjelentősbejelentkijelentmegjelenikjelenség

چالش

Go to a Hungarian news site (like telex.hu), find three words you don't know, and write down 'Mit jelent a(z) [word]?' for each.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¿Qué significa?

Hungarian requires the accusative case on 'what' (mit).

French high

Que signifie...?

French word order is more rigid than Hungarian.

German high

Was bedeutet das?

German uses 'was' (nominative/accusative same), Hungarian must use 'mit'.

Japanese moderate

...はどういう意味ですか？

Japanese is much more indirect and polite in its standard form.

Arabic high

ماذا يعني؟

Arabic verb conjugation depends on the gender of the subject.

Chinese partial

...是什么意思？

Chinese lacks the case marking (accusative) found in Hungarian.

Korean partial

...은/는 무슨 뜻이에요?

Korean uses topic markers (eun/neun) which Hungarian doesn't have in the same way.

Portuguese high

O que significa?

Portuguese often includes the article 'O' before 'que'.

Easily Confused

Mit jelent? در مقابل Mit gondolsz?

Learners mix up 'meaning' and 'thinking'.

Use 'jelent' for words/signs and 'gondolsz' for opinions.

Mit jelent? در مقابل Mi ez?

Both ask for identification.

'Mi ez?' is for objects; 'Mit jelent?' is for words or symbols.

سوالات متداول (14)

Yes, it's very common and slightly emphasizes 'this'.

Because 'what' is the object of the verb 'to mean'. In Hungarian, objects get a '-t'.

Yes, it's neutral. To be extra polite, add 'legyen szíves' (please).

Only if you ask 'Mit jelentesz nekem?' (What do you mean to me?). You can't ask 'Mit jelent ő?' to mean 'Who is he?'.

'Jelent' is for the word's definition; 'akar mondani' is for what a person is trying to say.

Not really, but 'Mi van?' can sometimes mean 'What does this mean/What's going on?' in a very informal way.

Say 'Mit jelent ez a mondat?'.

Yes: 'Mit jelentett?'.

Yes, it can mean 'to report' (e.g., in the army or at school).

Just point at it and say 'Ez mit jelent?'.

Yes, it sounds more academic and formal.

Yes, this is a great way to ask about the meaning of someone's name.

Yes, to ask about the implications of a contract or data.

This is the subjunctive form, often used to express indignation or 'What is this supposed to mean?!'.

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