Meaning
Keeping up with the news.
Cultural Background
In the early 20th century, cafes provided newspapers for free to customers. This led to the 'coffee and news' lifestyle that still defines Budapest today. During the socialist period, reading the newspaper was often about 'reading between the lines' to find the truth hidden in propaganda. While print is dying, the phrase 'újságot olvasni' has survived by being applied to news apps and websites. For years, a free newspaper called 'Metropol' was handed out at every metro station, making 'újságot olvasni' a universal activity for commuters.
The '-ot' is key
Always remember the '-ot' on 'újság'. Without it, the sentence is broken.
Don't say 'nézni'
English speakers often say 'watch the news'. In Hungarian, you 'read' (olvas) the paper.
Meaning
Keeping up with the news.
The '-ot' is key
Always remember the '-ot' on 'újság'. Without it, the sentence is broken.
Don't say 'nézni'
English speakers often say 'watch the news'. In Hungarian, you 'read' (olvas) the paper.
Indefinite vs Definite
Use 'olvasok' if you mean 'a newspaper' in general. Use 'olvasom' only if you say 'az újságot' (the newspaper).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'újság' with the accusative ending.
Minden reggel ______ olvasok.
The object of the verb 'olvasok' needs the '-ot' suffix.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for 'I read a newspaper'?
Válaszd ki a helyes mondatot!
Since 'újságot' is indefinite, we use the indefinite verb form 'olvasok'.
Complete the dialogue.
- Mit csinálsz? - Kávézom és ______.
The verb 'olvasni' (to read) is the only one that fits with 'újság'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesMinden reggel ______ olvasok.
The object of the verb 'olvasok' needs the '-ot' suffix.
Válaszd ki a helyes mondatot!
Since 'újságot' is indefinite, we use the indefinite verb form 'olvasok'.
- Mit csinálsz? - Kávézom és ______.
The verb 'olvasni' (to read) is the only one that fits with 'újság'.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes! It is very common to use 'újságot olvasni' for digital news apps.
It would be 'újságokat olvasni', but usually, the singular 'újságot' is used to mean 'the news' in general.
It can also mean magazines, though 'magazin' is also used.
Because of vowel harmony. 'Újság' contains back vowels (u, á), so it takes the back vowel suffix '-ot'.
Related Phrases
híreket hallgatni
similarTo listen to the news
folyóiratot járatni
specialized formTo subscribe to a journal
átlapozni a sajtót
similarTo leaf through the press
híradót nézni
contrastTo watch the news
