Meaning
Being under influence of alcohol.
Cultural Background
In villages, being 'be van rúgva' at a wedding or harvest festival is often seen as a sign of having a good time. It's common for the host to keep pouring Pálinka until everyone reaches this state. In the 'ruin bars' of Budapest, the phrase is heard constantly. However, younger generations are becoming more health-conscious, and 'be van rúgva' is starting to be used more ironically. Historically, some manual labor jobs in Hungary tolerated a bit of drinking, but today there is 'zéró tolerancia' (zero tolerance). Being 'be van rúgva' at work is now a grounds for immediate firing. Hungarian cinema often uses the 'drunk' character as a philosopher or a tragic hero. Being 'be van rúgva' is a common trope to allow characters to speak the 'truth'.
Use with 'nagyon'
If someone is clearly drunk, always add 'nagyon' (very) to sound more natural.
Watch the prefix
If you forget 'be', 'van rúgva' sounds like someone is literally being kicked right now!
Meaning
Being under influence of alcohol.
Use with 'nagyon'
If someone is clearly drunk, always add 'nagyon' (very) to sound more natural.
Watch the prefix
If you forget 'be', 'van rúgva' sounds like someone is literally being kicked right now!
The 'Nincs' rule
To say someone is NOT drunk, say 'Nincs berúgva' (one word).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'van'.
Én be ______ rúgva.
The subject is 'Én' (I), so the verb 'van' must be conjugated to 'vagyok'.
Which sentence is correct for a formal police report?
Hogyan mondjuk hivatalosan?
'Ittas állapotban van' is the formal, professional way to say someone is intoxicated.
Match the phrase to the level of drunkenness.
1. Becsiccsentett, 2. Be van rúgva, 3. Hulla részeg
Becsiccsentett is light, be van rúgva is standard, hulla részeg is extreme.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kérsz még egy sört? B: Nem, köszönöm, már ______.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesÉn be ______ rúgva.
The subject is 'Én' (I), so the verb 'van' must be conjugated to 'vagyok'.
Hogyan mondjuk hivatalosan?
'Ittas állapotban van' is the formal, professional way to say someone is intoxicated.
1. Becsiccsentett, 2. Be van rúgva, 3. Hulla részeg
Becsiccsentett is light, be van rúgva is standard, hulla részeg is extreme.
A: Kérsz még egy sört? B: Nem, köszönöm, már ______.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not a swear word, but it is blunt. Use it about friends, not your boss.
Usually no, for drugs use 'be van állva'.
'Berúgott' is the past tense (he got drunk), 'be van rúgva' is the current state (he is drunk).
Use 'Kicsit becsiccsentettem' or 'Pityókás vagyok'.
Only if you are joking and have a very friendly relationship. Otherwise, it's a bit rude.
Yes, 'be vannak rúgva'.
Yes, if your dog eats fermented fruit, you can say 'Be van rúgva a kutya'.
Yes, 'ittas' is the polite/neutral version.
It's a verbal prefix meaning 'into', showing the alcohol went into the person.
Usually no, that would be 'becsiccsentve'. 'Be van rúgva' implies a loss of some control.
Related Phrases
berúg
builds onTo get drunk (the action)
ki van ütve
similarTo be knocked out
józan
contrastSober
másnapos
builds onHungover
