Signification
More people notice more things.
Contexte culturel
The idiom is deeply linked to the 'Kaláka' tradition, where neighbors help each other for free. It emphasizes that communal effort is more accurate than individual work. In Szekler (Székely) culture, this phrase is often used with a sense of 'vigilance'—keeping an eye on the community's shared resources. In modern Budapest offices, this is the go-to phrase for 'peer review' or 'four-eyes principle' (négy szem elv). Many folk tales involve a hero who succeeds only because they listen to the advice of multiple animals or elders, reinforcing the 'more eyes' philosophy.
The Singular Rule
Always remember: 1 szem, 2 szem, 100 szem. Never 'szemek' after a number or 'több'!
Polite Requests
Use this phrase when asking for a favor to make it sound like you're being diligent, not lazy.
Signification
More people notice more things.
The Singular Rule
Always remember: 1 szem, 2 szem, 100 szem. Never 'szemek' after a number or 'több'!
Polite Requests
Use this phrase when asking for a favor to make it sound like you're being diligent, not lazy.
Don't Overuse
If you say it 10 times a day, you might sound like you can't do anything on your own.
Visualizing
Think of the 'szem' as a 'lens'. More lenses = clearer picture.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Több ____ többet lát.
After 'több', the noun must be singular.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Több szem többet lát'?
Mikor használjuk ezt a kifejezést?
The idiom is about collective checking and observation.
Match the Hungarian idiom to its English equivalent.
Párosítsd a kifejezéseket!
The other options refer to 'too many cooks' and 'shared responsibility leads to neglect.'
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
A: Nem találom a hibát a kódban. B: Nézzük meg együtt, hiszen...
The standard form is 'több szem többet lát'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Collective vs. Individual
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTöbb ____ többet lát.
After 'több', the noun must be singular.
Mikor használjuk ezt a kifejezést?
The idiom is about collective checking and observation.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
The other options refer to 'too many cooks' and 'shared responsibility leads to neglect.'
A: Nem találom a hibát a kódban. B: Nézzük meg együtt, hiszen...
The standard form is 'több szem többet lát'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, it's grammatically correct and understandable, but 'Több szem' is the fixed, idiomatic version.
It is neutral. You can use it in a professional email or with friends.
In Hungarian, nouns following quantity words like 'több' (more) or 'sok' (many) are always singular.
'Sok bába közt elvész a gyerek' (Too many cooks spoil the broth) is the closest conceptual opposite.
Literally no, but figuratively yes. However, for hearing, we don't usually say 'Több fül többet hall.'
The first is 'több' (subject modifier), the second is 'többet' (object of the verb).
Yes! It's a great way to show you value teamwork and quality control.
No, it implies that you are careful and value a second opinion.
Not really, but you can say 'Csekkold már le te is' (Check it out too) as an informal equivalent.
It's at least 400 years old, first appearing in written collections in the late 1500s.
Very! You'll see it in detective shows when they are searching a crime scene.
Only if you're asking friends to help you 'spot' someone in a crowd, but it's a bit weird.
Expressions liées
Négy szem többet lát
variationFour eyes see more.
Sok lúd disznót győz
similarMany geese can defeat a pig.
Sok bába közt elvész a gyerek
contrastBetween many midwives, the child is lost.
Közös lónak túros a háta
contrastA shared horse has a sore back.
Egy fej nem fej
similarOne head is no head.
