Signification
Too surprised to speak.
Contexte culturel
Hungarians often use 'köpni-nyelni nem tud' when someone is being 'arcátlan' (cheeky/shameless). It's a common way to express moral outrage. In some rural areas, you might hear variations like 'szó bennszakad', which is more poetic but carries the same weight of being stunned. On Hungarian social media (Facebook/Instagram), this phrase is often used in 'story' captions to describe a shocking video or photo. In talent shows like 'X-Faktor', judges frequently use this to describe a performance that was either incredibly good or incredibly bad.
Use for emphasis
This is a great 'reaction' phrase. If a friend tells you a secret, just saying 'Köpni-nyelni nem tudok!' makes you sound like a very engaged listener.
Don't overdo it
Because it's a strong idiom, using it for small things (like a slightly late bus) can sound sarcastic.
Signification
Too surprised to speak.
Use for emphasis
This is a great 'reaction' phrase. If a friend tells you a secret, just saying 'Köpni-nyelni nem tudok!' makes you sound like a very engaged listener.
Don't overdo it
Because it's a strong idiom, using it for small things (like a slightly late bus) can sound sarcastic.
Past Tense Mastery
Most often, you'll use this in the past tense ('nem tudtam') because you are describing your reaction to something that just happened.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tud' in the past tense.
Amikor megláttam az UFO-t, köpni-nyelni nem _______.
The sentence starts with 'Amikor megláttam' (When I saw - past tense), so the reaction must also be in the past tense first person: 'tudtam'.
Which situation is the best for using 'köpni-nyelni nem tud'?
Melyik helyzetben használjuk ezt a kifejezést?
The phrase is an idiom for extreme surprise, like receiving a huge unexpected gift.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Képzeld, megnyertem a versenyt! B: Ez hihetetlen! Én csak állok itt, és _______.
The context is a big surprise, so the 'speechless' idiom is the perfect fit.
Match the reaction to the event.
Match: 1. Shocking news, 2. Beautiful sunset, 3. Rude comment.
The idiom works for all three, but the specific noun (hír, látvány, szemtelenség) determines the context.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAmikor megláttam az UFO-t, köpni-nyelni nem _______.
The sentence starts with 'Amikor megláttam' (When I saw - past tense), so the reaction must also be in the past tense first person: 'tudtam'.
Melyik helyzetben használjuk ezt a kifejezést?
The phrase is an idiom for extreme surprise, like receiving a huge unexpected gift.
A: Képzeld, megnyertem a versenyt! B: Ez hihetetlen! Én csak állok itt, és _______.
The context is a big surprise, so the 'speechless' idiom is the perfect fit.
Match: 1. Shocking news, 2. Beautiful sunset, 3. Rude comment.
The idiom works for all three, but the specific noun (hír, látvány, szemtelenség) determines the context.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNot at all! In this idiom, the word has lost its 'gross' connotation. It's perfectly acceptable in polite, neutral conversation.
Yes, but it's usually for a 'shocking' kind of happy, like winning a prize. For general happiness, it might be too intense.
Use 'tudunk' for present: 'Köpni-nyelni nem tudunk.' Or 'tudtunk' for past: 'Köpni-nyelni nem tudtunk.'
Not really. The full 'köpni-nyelni nem tud' is the standard unit. Shortening it would make it lose its meaning.
Only if something truly shocking happens. Otherwise, it's a bit too informal for a professional interview setting.
Expressions liées
Szóhoz sem jut
synonymCannot get to a word / Speechless.
Tátva marad a szája
similarHis/her mouth stayed open.
Eláll a lélegzete
similarHis/her breath stops.
Meg sem tud szólalni
similarCannot even speak.
