Signification
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Contexte culturel
In Hungary, this proverb is often linked to the concept of 'leleményesség' (resourcefulness). Hungarians pride themselves on finding 'loopholes' when rules seem illogical or life gets difficult. The phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin 'Necessitas non habet legem', which was used in Canon Law to justify actions like eating meat on a fast day if one was ill. Famous Hungarian authors like Mór Jókai used this phrase to describe the struggles of poor peasants or the desperate moves of soldiers during the 1848 Revolution. Today, it's often used ironically when dealing with the famous Hungarian bureaucracy. If a clerk helps you despite a missing document, they might whisper this.
Use it as a full stop
This phrase is most effective when used at the end of an explanation to shut down further questioning.
Don't over-conjugate
Keep it in the present tense. Changing it to past or future makes it sound like a normal sentence rather than a proverb.
Signification
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Use it as a full stop
This phrase is most effective when used at the end of an explanation to shut down further questioning.
Don't over-conjugate
Keep it in the present tense. Changing it to past or future makes it sound like a normal sentence rather than a proverb.
The 'Okosba' connection
If you want to sound really Hungarian, use this when explaining a clever 'hack' or shortcut.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct word.
Szükség ________ bont.
The object 'törvény' needs the accusative suffix '-t'.
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Szükség törvényt bont'?
Válassza ki a megfelelő helyzetet:
The proverb refers to genuine necessity or survival.
Match the Hungarian words to their English meanings.
Párosítsa a szavakat!
Basic vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Miért törted be az ablakot? B: Mert tűz volt bent, és a ________ ________ ________.
The proverb is a fixed unit.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSzükség ________ bont.
The object 'törvény' needs the accusative suffix '-t'.
Válassza ki a megfelelő helyzetet:
The proverb refers to genuine necessity or survival.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Basic vocabulary matching.
A: Miért törted be az ablakot? B: Mert tűz volt bent, és a ________ ________ ________.
The proverb is a fixed unit.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, very much so! It's used in news, literature, and daily life to justify exceptions to rules.
It's a bit dramatic for that. Use it for more serious situations or as a joke with friends.
Because it is the object of the verb 'bont'. In Hungarian, objects always get a '-t'.
It's 'frozen'—it works in almost any context because it's a traditional proverb.
It means to take something apart, like a wall, a package, or a braid of hair.
Yes, adding the article 'A' is very common and sounds natural.
Not a direct one, but people might say 'Muszáj nagy úr' as a more casual alternative.
Legally, no. It's a moral and philosophical justification, not a legal 'get out of jail free' card.
It's 'SOOK-shayg'. The 'sz' is 's', and the 'g' is hard like in 'go'.
Similar, but 'szükség' focuses on *need* and *survival*, while 'the end justifies the means' is about *goals*.
Expressions liées
A szükség nagy úr.
similarNecessity is a great lord.
Nincs más választás.
synonymThere is no other choice.
A cél szentesíti az eszközt.
similarThe end justifies the means.
Törvénytisztelő állampolgár.
contrastLaw-abiding citizen.
