Meaning
Asking for someone's name informally.
Cultural Background
Hungarians are generally reserved but warm up quickly. Asking a name is the first step to building a 'te' relationship. In many Central European cultures, the 'te/ön' distinction is vital. Using the wrong form can cause immediate social friction. Young Hungarians often skip the formal 'ön' entirely, making 'Hogy hívnak?' the default for almost everyone under 30. In modern tech startups in Budapest, the informal 'Hogy hívnak?' is becoming more common, even among colleagues.
Smile!
Hungarian is a friendly language. A smile makes 'Hogy hívnak?' sound much more natural.
Watch the register
Don't use this with your boss unless they explicitly say it's okay.
Meaning
Asking for someone's name informally.
Smile!
Hungarian is a friendly language. A smile makes 'Hogy hívnak?' sound much more natural.
Watch the register
Don't use this with your boss unless they explicitly say it's okay.
Use it early
The sooner you ask a name, the sooner you can use it to build rapport.
Names first
Hungarians appreciate it when you remember their name after asking.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
Szia! Hogy ______?
The second-person singular indefinite form is 'hívnak'.
Which phrase is appropriate for a friend?
Which one is informal?
Hogy hívnak is the standard informal way to ask a name.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Szia! Hogy hívnak? B: ________.
You answer by stating your name.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Meeting a new friend at a party.
Informal settings require the informal form.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSzia! Hogy ______?
The second-person singular indefinite form is 'hívnak'.
Which one is informal?
Hogy hívnak is the standard informal way to ask a name.
A: Szia! Hogy hívnak? B: ________.
You answer by stating your name.
Meeting a new friend at a party.
Informal settings require the informal form.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, use 'Hogy hívják?' or 'Mi a neve?' for teachers.
Not at all, it's the standard way to start a conversation.
Just ask 'Bocsánat, hogy hívnak?' again, it's okay.
It's a passive-reflexive structure meaning 'how are you called'.
Yes, but it's redundant.
Only in very informal or startup environments.
Just say '[Name] vagyok'.
Yes, but 'Hogy hívnak' is softer.
Only if you are in a very formal setting.
The 'gy' sound is the only tricky part.
Yes, it's perfect.
No, the phrase is gender-neutral.
Related Phrases
Mi a neved?
synonymWhat is your name?
Hogy hívják?
contrastWhat is his/her/their name?
Örülök, hogy megismertelek.
builds onNice to meet you.
Bemutatkozhatok?
similarMay I introduce myself?
