Meaning
Describing low temperature.
Cultural Background
Hungarians have a specific term 'farkasordító hideg' (wolf-howling cold) for extreme winter temperatures, reflecting the country's rural history where wolves were a winter threat. In mountainous Hungarian-speaking regions, 'hideg van' is often followed by an invitation for 'pálinka' (fruit brandy) to 'warm the bones'. In Budapest, 'hideg van' is the standard complaint when the 'távfűtés' (district heating) hasn't been turned on yet in October. There are many 'Ice Saints' (Fagyosszentek) in May. If 'hideg van' during these days, it's considered a bad omen for the harvest.
The 'Van' Rule
Always remember that for weather, 'van' is not optional. Skipping it makes you sound like a telegram.
Personal vs. Environment
If you tell a doctor 'Hideg vagyok,' they might check your pulse for a heart of stone. Say 'Fázom' instead!
Meaning
Describing low temperature.
The 'Van' Rule
Always remember that for weather, 'van' is not optional. Skipping it makes you sound like a telegram.
Personal vs. Environment
If you tell a doctor 'Hideg vagyok,' they might check your pulse for a heart of stone. Say 'Fázom' instead!
Small Talk Gold
If you don't know what to say to a Hungarian neighbor, just sigh and say 'Hideg van.' You've just started a 10-minute conversation.
Test Yourself
How do you say 'It is very cold' in Hungarian?
Choose the correct translation:
'Nagyon' means very, and 'Hideg van' is the correct structure for weather.
Complete the sentence to say 'It was cold yesterday'.
Tegnap hideg _______.
'Volt' is the past tense of 'van'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You feel the room is chilly and want to tell your roommate.
'Hideg van itt' describes the room's temperature.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Milyen az idő kint? B: ________, vigyél kabátot!
The advice to take a coat implies it is cold.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Temperature Scale in Hungarian
Cold
- • Fagy van (Freezing)
- • Hideg van (Cold)
- • Hűvös van (Chilly)
Warm
- • Langyos (Lukewarm)
- • Meleg van (Warm)
- • Hőség van (Heatwave)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesChoose the correct translation:
'Nagyon' means very, and 'Hideg van' is the correct structure for weather.
Tegnap hideg _______.
'Volt' is the past tense of 'van'.
You feel the room is chilly and want to tell your roommate.
'Hideg van itt' describes the room's temperature.
A: Milyen az idő kint? B: ________, vigyél kabátot!
The advice to take a coat implies it is cold.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for a drink you would say 'A sör hideg' (The beer is cold). 'Hideg van' is only for the ambient temperature of a place.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and polite in all settings.
Simply add a question mark and use a rising intonation at the end: 'Hideg van?'
'Meleg van' (It is warm/hot).
Hungarian is a pro-drop language and doesn't use dummy subjects for impersonal states like weather.
Indirectly, yes. 'Hideg volt a fogadtatás' (The reception was cold). But 'Hideg van' usually refers to the room.
It's an idiom meaning 'It's freezing cold' (literally 'dog-cold').
Use 'Kicsit hideg van.'
Mostly, but you can use it in summer if the air conditioning is too strong!
'Hideg' is cold, 'hűvös' is just chilly or cool.
Related Phrases
Hűvös van.
similarIt is chilly/cool.
Fagy van.
specialized formIt is freezing.
Meleg van.
contrastIt is warm/hot.
Fázom.
builds onI am cold.
