Meaning
Receiving payment for work.
Cultural Background
Hungarians are generally private about their exact salary. It's better to use 'jól keres' (earns well) than to ask for a specific number. In job advertisements, 'versenyképes fizetés' (competitive salary) is a common phrase used alongside 'pénzkereseti lehetőség.' During the transition from socialism to capitalism in the 90s, 'pénzt keresni' became a symbol of new entrepreneurial freedom. Younger people might use 'pénzt csinálni' more often due to the influence of American movies and music.
The 'Jól' Shortcut
If you want to say someone is rich or has a good job, just say 'Jól keres' (He/she earns well). It's the most natural way.
Avoid 'Make'
Never say 'pénzt csinálni' in a formal setting. It sounds like you are a counterfeiter!
Meaning
Receiving payment for work.
The 'Jól' Shortcut
If you want to say someone is rich or has a good job, just say 'Jól keres' (He/she earns well). It's the most natural way.
Avoid 'Make'
Never say 'pénzt csinálni' in a formal setting. It sounds like you are a counterfeiter!
Accusative Case
Always remember the '-t' on 'pénzt'. Without it, the sentence is grammatically broken.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form.
Én egy bankban dolgozom, és sokat ______.
The subject is 'Én' (I), so the verb must be in the first person singular present tense.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I want to earn money'?
'Keresni' is the correct verb for earning money through work.
Match the Hungarian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are basic collocations related to the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hol dolgozol? B: Egy étteremben. A: És jól ______?
The speaker is asking 'you' (second person singular).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesÉn egy bankban dolgozom, és sokat ______.
The subject is 'Én' (I), so the verb must be in the first person singular present tense.
How do you say 'I want to earn money'?
'Keresni' is the correct verb for earning money through work.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are basic collocations related to the phrase.
A: Hol dolgozol? B: Egy étteremben. A: És jól ______?
The speaker is asking 'you' (second person singular).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, you must use 'nyerni' for the lottery. 'Keresni' implies effort or work.
It is common in slang or very informal speech among young people, but 'keresni' is always safer.
Ötszázezer forintot keresek.
The noun is 'kereset.'
Yes, it can be seen as intrusive. It's better to ask 'Jól keresel?' if you are close friends.
Related Phrases
pénzt költ
contrastto spend money
pénzt megtakarít
builds onto save money
fizetést kap
similarto get a salary
megélhetés
similarlivelihood
