Bedeutung
Asking for assistance informally.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Hungarians are generally very helpful to guests, but they expect you to use the correct level of formality. Using 'Segíts' with a stranger might result in a cold response. In Budapest, people are more used to informal language in shops, but in the countryside, formal 'magázás' is still very much the standard for anyone you don't know personally. Many modern Hungarian offices (especially in tech) use 'tegezés' (informal) for everyone, including the boss. In these environments, 'Segíts, kérlek!' is perfectly fine. Younger people often drop the 'kérlek' and just say 'Segíts már!' or use English loanwords like 'Help-elj már!'.
The Comma Matters
Always put a comma before 'kérlek' in writing. It's a hallmark of good Hungarian grammar.
Don't be too bossy
Without 'kérlek', 'Segíts!' is a command. It can sound rude if your tone isn't very friendly.
Bedeutung
Asking for assistance informally.
The Comma Matters
Always put a comma before 'kérlek' in writing. It's a hallmark of good Hungarian grammar.
Don't be too bossy
Without 'kérlek', 'Segíts!' is a command. It can sound rude if your tone isn't very friendly.
Add 'egy kicsit'
Saying 'Segíts, kérlek, egy kicsit!' (Help a little) makes the favor seem smaller and easier to say yes to.
Eye Contact
When asking for help in Hungary, maintain friendly eye contact to show sincerity.
Teste dich selbst
Which phrase is correct for asking a friend for help?
Szia Péter! _______, kérlek!
'Segíts' is the informal imperative needed for a friend named Péter.
Complete the sentence with the correct polite word.
Segíts, _______!
'Kérlek' is the informal 'please' used with 'Segíts'.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
Who do you say 'Segíts, kérlek!' to?
Family members are always addressed informally in Hungarian.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Segíts, kérlek, a táskával! B: ________.
'Persze, szívesen' (Sure, gladly) is a natural response to a request for help.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Informal vs Formal Help
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSzia Péter! _______, kérlek!
'Segíts' is the informal imperative needed for a friend named Péter.
Segíts, _______!
'Kérlek' is the informal 'please' used with 'Segíts'.
Who do you say 'Segíts, kérlek!' to?
Family members are always addressed informally in Hungarian.
A: Segíts, kérlek, a táskával! B: ________.
'Persze, szívesen' (Sure, gladly) is a natural response to a request for help.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenOnly if your teacher has explicitly asked you to use 'tegezés' (informal). Otherwise, use 'Segítsen, kérem!'.
'Kérlek' is 'I ask you', while 'légy szíves' is 'be so kind'. They are interchangeable in most informal situations.
It is singular. If you are asking a group of friends, you must say 'Segítsetek, kérlek!'.
The 't' is part of the root 'segít', and the 's' is the imperative marker. Together they create the 'ch' sound.
On its own, 'Kérlek' usually means 'You're welcome' or 'Please (go ahead)'. To ask for help, you need the verb 'Segíts'.
You can say 'Segíts nekem', but 'Segíts' already implies 'me' in this context.
Yes, in informal emails to friends or colleagues, it's very common.
Shout 'Segítség!' (Help!) as loud as you can. Don't worry about 'kérlek' then!
No, you can say 'Kérlek, segíts!', which is slightly more emphatic.
Between very close best friends or siblings, it's okay, but adding 'kérlek' is always safer.
It's like the 'a' in 'gate', but held longer and without the 'y' sound at the end.
Yes! Hungarians talk to their pets informally. 'Segíts, kérlek, keresd meg a labdát!'
Verwandte Redewendungen
Segítség!
specialized formHelp!
Segítsen, kérem!
similarHelp me, please (formal)
Tudnál segíteni?
builds onCould you help?
Légy szíves
synonymPlease / Be so kind
Segíthetek?
contrastCan I help?
