Meaning
Asking someone to phone you.
Cultural Background
Hungarians are very direct with friends. Saying 'Hívj fel!' is not seen as bossy, but as a sign of a healthy, active friendship. In the capital, 'Csörögj rám' is almost as common as 'Hívj fel' among young people. It reflects the fast-paced, casual lifestyle of the city. Even in modern offices, wait for the older or higher-ranking person to offer 'tegezés' before you use 'Hívj fel!'. In smaller villages, people might use 'Hívjál fel' (adding an extra 'ál' suffix), which sounds more traditional or regional.
The 'Prefix Rule'
Always remember to flip the prefix in commands. It's the #1 sign of a good Hungarian learner.
Register Check
Don't say this to your boss unless they specifically asked you to 'tegeződjünk' (use informal speech).
Meaning
Asking someone to phone you.
The 'Prefix Rule'
Always remember to flip the prefix in commands. It's the #1 sign of a good Hungarian learner.
Register Check
Don't say this to your boss unless they specifically asked you to 'tegeződjünk' (use informal speech).
Add 'már' for flavor
Saying 'Hívj már fel!' makes you sound like a native who is slightly impatient but friendly.
Phone vs Text
In Hungary, if a topic is emotional or complex, it is culturally more polite to say 'Hívj fel' than to send a 10-page text.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct word order: 'Holnap ______ ______!' (Call me tomorrow!)
Holnap ______ ______!
In the imperative, the prefix 'fel' must follow the verb 'hívj'.
Which one is the formal version of 'Hívj fel!'?
Which is formal?
'Hívjon fel!' uses the third-person singular imperative, which is the standard formal form.
Choose the best response for Zoli.
Kata: 'Nem tudok többet írni, fáj a kezem.' Zoli: 'Rendben, ______.'
Kata says she can't type anymore, so Zoli suggests she calls him.
Match the phrase to the situation: 'Azonnal hívj fel!'
When would you say 'Azonnal hívj fel!'?
'Azonnal' means 'immediately', indicating urgency.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Say 'Call Me'
Standard
- • Hívj fel!
- • Hívjon fel!
Slang
- • Csörögj rám!
- • Dobj egy telót!
Polite
- • Kérlek, hívj fel!
- • Legyen szíves felhívni!
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHolnap ______ ______!
In the imperative, the prefix 'fel' must follow the verb 'hívj'.
Which is formal?
'Hívjon fel!' uses the third-person singular imperative, which is the standard formal form.
Kata: 'Nem tudok többet írni, fáj a kezem.' Zoli: 'Rendben, ______.'
Kata says she can't type anymore, so Zoli suggests she calls him.
When would you say 'Azonnal hívj fel!'?
'Azonnal' means 'immediately', indicating urgency.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, that is grammatically incorrect in the imperative. The prefix must move to the end: 'Hívj fel!'.
Not at all, as long as you are using it with friends or family. It's a standard request.
The formal version is 'Hívjon fel!' or 'Legyen szíves felhívni!'.
It's a slang version meaning 'Give me a ring'. It literally means 'Jingle on me'.
Usually no. 'Hívj fel' implies 'call me' unless you specify someone else.
Use 'Ne hívj fel!'. The 'ne' comes first, then the verb, then the prefix.
Yes, if the email is to a friend or a close colleague.
Use 'Hívj fel minket!'.
'Hívj' is the standard. 'Hívjál' is a more emphatic or regional variation, perfectly fine but less common in textbooks.
It likely refers to 'picking up' the phone or the 'upward' connection to a telephone exchange.
Yes, it's used for any voice or video call nowadays.
If you are talking to two or more people, say 'Hívjatok fel!'.
Related Phrases
Csörögj rám
synonymGive me a ring
Visszahívlak
builds onI'll call you back
Hívjon fel
specialized formCall me (formal)
Hívj meg
contrastInvite me
Beszéljünk
similarLet's talk
Üzenj
similarMessage me
