Meaning
Asking for the number of people in a group.
Cultural Background
When Hungarians count their siblings, they always include themselves in the total. If you ask 'Hányan vagytok testvérek?', and they say 'Hárman', it means they have two siblings. In casual 'étkezde' (small restaurants), the staff will often use the informal 'vagytok' even with strangers to create a friendly, homey atmosphere. In ruin pubs, bouncers use this phrase to manage capacity. It's a sign of a busy, popular spot. Knowing the exact number of guests is crucial because Hungarian hosts take pride in never letting a guest leave hungry. 'Hányan vagytok?' is the first step in planning a feast.
The '-an' Rule
Always use '-an' or '-en' when counting people with the verb 'to be'. Never say 'Hány vagytok?'.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'Hányan vannak?' if you are talking to people much older than you or in a very formal business setting.
Meaning
Asking for the number of people in a group.
The '-an' Rule
Always use '-an' or '-en' when counting people with the verb 'to be'. Never say 'Hány vagytok?'.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'Hányan vannak?' if you are talking to people much older than you or in a very formal business setting.
Inclusive Counting
If someone asks you this about your siblings, remember to count yourself!
Mennyien
If you hear 'Mennyien vagytok?', don't panic. It means the same thing, just slightly more emphasis on the 'mass' of the group.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing part of the question.
Szia! ______ vagytok a buliban?
We use 'Hányan' because we are asking about the number of people.
Which sentence is correct for asking friends how many they are?
Choose the correct one:
'Vagytok' is the plural 'you' used for friends.
Complete the dialogue.
Pincér: Jó napot! ______ vagytok? Vendég: Hárman vagyunk.
The answer 'Hárman' (three people) indicates the question was about the number of people.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a ticket counter with 4 friends. What does the clerk ask?
The clerk needs to know the number of people for the tickets.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
People vs. Objects
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSzia! ______ vagytok a buliban?
We use 'Hányan' because we are asking about the number of people.
Choose the correct one:
'Vagytok' is the plural 'you' used for friends.
Pincér: Jó napot! ______ vagytok? Vendég: Hárman vagyunk.
The answer 'Hárman' (three people) indicates the question was about the number of people.
You are at a ticket counter with 4 friends. What does the clerk ask?
The clerk needs to know the number of people for the tickets.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsUsually no, unless the animals are characters in a story. For normal animals, use 'Hány [állat] van?'.
'Hányan' is for countable groups. 'Mennyien' is for larger, less defined amounts of people, but they are often used interchangeably in casual speech.
Use a number with the same '-an/-en' suffix + 'vagyunk'. Example: 'Négyen vagyunk.'
Not at all! It's a very practical and common question in social and service settings.
In Hungarian, the '-an' suffix already implies you are talking about people, so adding 'emberek' (people) is redundant.
Yes! You would answer 'Ketten vagyunk.'
The question would usually be 'Hányan vagy?', and you'd answer 'Egyedül vagyok' (I am alone).
Yes, it is the 2nd person plural of the verb 'to be'.
That would be 'Hányan vagyunk?'.
'Hányan nyomjátok?' is a common slang way to ask how many people are participating in an activity.
Five is 'öt', so it becomes 'öten' (front vowel harmony).
Six is 'hat', so it becomes 'hatan' (back vowel harmony).
Yes, if the email is to friends or colleagues you are on informal terms with.
You can say 'Nem tudom pontosan' (I don't know exactly).
Related Phrases
Hányan vagyunk?
similarHow many of us are there?
Hányan vannak?
similarHow many are they / you (formal)?
Hány fő?
specialized formHow many persons?
Mennyien vagytok?
synonymHow many of you are there?
Hányan vagy?
similarHow many are you (singular)?
