Signification
Asking for the current time.
Contexte culturel
Hungarians use a 24-hour clock for official schedules (trains, TV, work) but a 12-hour clock in casual speech. If someone says 'nyolc óra', they usually mean 8 PM if it's evening. In the capital, people are very time-conscious due to the busy transport network. Asking for the time is a common way to start a brief interaction at a stop. In smaller villages, time might still be marked by church bells. People might refer to time in relation to the 'harangszó' (bell ringing). Younger generations almost exclusively use their phones to check the time, so 'Hány óra van?' is often followed by someone pulling out a smartphone.
The Singular Rule
Always keep 'óra' singular. 'Hány órák' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.
Weather vs. Time
Never use 'Mi az idő?' to ask for the time. You will get a report on whether it's raining!
Signification
Asking for the current time.
The Singular Rule
Always keep 'óra' singular. 'Hány órák' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.
Weather vs. Time
Never use 'Mi az idő?' to ask for the time. You will get a report on whether it's raining!
Politeness adds 'van'
While 'Hány óra?' is okay with friends, always include 'van' when being polite to strangers.
Teste-toi
Complete the question to ask for the time.
Hány ____ van?
The standard phrase is 'Hány óra van?'. Remember that 'óra' must be singular.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask a stranger for the time?
...
'Hány óra van?' is the most natural and grammatically correct option.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Elnézést, ______? B: Hét óra múlt.
The context requires asking for the current time.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to know what time the movie starts.
When asking about a specific event time, use 'Hány órakor?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Hány vs. Mennyi
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHány ____ van?
The standard phrase is 'Hány óra van?'. Remember that 'óra' must be singular.
...
'Hány óra van?' is the most natural and grammatically correct option.
A: Elnézést, ______? B: Hét óra múlt.
The context requires asking for the current time.
You want to know what time the movie starts.
When asking about a specific event time, use 'Hány órakor?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in casual settings it's very common. However, 'Hány óra van?' is more complete and polite.
Hungarian word order often puts the verb at the end of simple questions like this to emphasize the subject/quantity.
Neither is 'better'. 'Hány óra van?' is slightly more formal/standard, while 'Mennyi az idő?' is very common in everyday speech.
You can say '[Number] óra van.' For example: 'Hat óra van.' (It is six o'clock.)
No, they use the 24-hour clock or add 'reggel' (morning), 'délután' (afternoon), or 'este' (evening).
Use 'Hány órakor van a megbeszélés?'. Don't forget the '-kor' suffix!
Yes, it means 'hour', 'clock', and 'lesson/class'. Context tells you which one is meant.
Both are fine. Adding 'most' (now) just adds a little emphasis.
This is an old-fashioned, poetic way of asking the time, literally 'How many did the clock strike?'.
No, for the date use 'Hányadika van?' or 'Mi a dátum?'.
Expressions liées
Mennyi az idő?
synonymHow much is the time?
Hány órakor?
specialized formAt what time?
Pontos idő
similarExact time
Elütötte az órát
idiomThe clock struck the hour
