Signification
Character is more important than appearance.
Contexte culturel
In rural Hungarian culture, 'tisztesség' (decency) was often measured by the cleanliness of one's clothes, not their price. A poor person with a clean, ironed shirt was highly respected, embodying the spirit of this proverb. In Szekler (Székely) folklore, many tales involve a hero dressed in rags who outsmarts a richly dressed villain, reinforcing the proverb's message in oral tradition. With the rise of tech startups in Budapest, the 'Silicon Valley' style of hoodies and jeans has made this proverb a reality in business, where the CEO might be the worst-dressed person in the room. Famous writers like Móricz Zsigmond often wrote about the 'úri világ' (gentleman's world) where people spent money they didn't have on clothes to look important, using this proverb as a moral critique.
Use it to be humble
If someone compliments your expensive clothes, you can say this to show you are modest.
Don't over-negate
Don't say 'Nem a ruha nem teszi...' Double negatives work differently in Hungarian and will confuse the meaning here.
Signification
Character is more important than appearance.
Use it to be humble
If someone compliments your expensive clothes, you can say this to show you are modest.
Don't over-negate
Don't say 'Nem a ruha nem teszi...' Double negatives work differently in Hungarian and will confuse the meaning here.
The 'Tesz' vs 'Csinál' rule
Remember that 'tesz' is for more abstract 'making' or 'placing,' while 'csinál' is for physical manufacturing. Character is abstract, so we use 'tesz'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
Nem a ____ teszi az embert.
The standard proverb uses 'ruha' (clothes).
Which sentence uses the proverb correctly?
Choose the correct version:
It requires the definite conjugation 'teszi' and the accusative '-t' on 'embert'.
Match the situation to the proverb.
In which situation would you say 'Nem a ruha teszi az embert'?
The proverb is used to defend someone's character despite their poor appearance.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Nézd azt a gazdag embert, milyen csúnyán beszél a pincérrel!' B: 'Igen, látszik, hogy...'
The speaker is noting that wealth/clothes don't make him a good person.
Match the Hungarian words to their English meanings in the proverb.
Match the following:
Basic vocabulary check.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Inner vs Outer Value
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesNem a ____ teszi az embert.
The standard proverb uses 'ruha' (clothes).
Choose the correct version:
It requires the definite conjugation 'teszi' and the accusative '-t' on 'embert'.
In which situation would you say 'Nem a ruha teszi az embert'?
The proverb is used to defend someone's character despite their poor appearance.
A: 'Nézd azt a gazdag embert, milyen csúnyán beszél a pincérrel!' B: 'Igen, látszik, hogy...'
The speaker is noting that wealth/clothes don't make him a good person.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Basic vocabulary check.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, though often ironically or when discussing social issues like bullying or fast fashion.
Technically yes, but the proverb is fixed with 'ember' (which includes everyone). Changing it makes it sound like a new, non-proverbial sentence.
In this context, it means 'to make' or 'to constitute.' It's an older usage of the verb.
It can be, if you imply they are a bad person. Use it carefully as a general observation rather than a direct attack.
The opposite is 'A ruha teszi az embert,' which means appearances are everything.
Because 'ember' starts with a vowel, the definite article 'a' becomes 'az'.
Yes, Hungarian language exams often ask students to explain the meaning of proverbs like this one.
No, proverbs are usually kept in their singular, original form.
Not really, but you can just say 'Nem a ruha számít' (Clothes don't matter).
Not anymore, it is purely a secular moral proverb today.
Expressions liées
A látszat csal.
similarAppearances are deceptive.
Nem minden arany, ami fénylik.
similarNot all that glitters is gold.
A ruha teszi az embert.
contrastClothes make the man.
Ki mint veti ágyát, úgy alussza álmát.
builds onAs you sow, so shall you reap.
