Meaning
A way to comfort someone after a minor loss.
Cultural Background
The Battle of Mohács is taught to every child as the turning point where Hungary lost its 'Golden Age.' This makes the idiom universally understood. Many neighboring countries have similar 'historical trauma' idioms, but the Hungarian one is unique in its specific focus on a single battle. In Hungarian meme culture, 'Mohács' is often used ironically to mock people who overreact to tiny inconveniences. The use of 'veszett' is a rare example of an archaic verb form surviving in daily speech solely because of an idiom.
The 'Sebaj' Combo
Always start with 'Sebaj' (pronounced sheh-buy) to sound extra native: 'Sebaj, több is veszett Mohácsnál!'
Don't be too happy
Say it with a sympathetic, slightly ironic tone. If you say it too cheerfully, it might sound like you're glad they lost something.
Meaning
A way to comfort someone after a minor loss.
The 'Sebaj' Combo
Always start with 'Sebaj' (pronounced sheh-buy) to sound extra native: 'Sebaj, több is veszett Mohácsnál!'
Don't be too happy
Say it with a sympathetic, slightly ironic tone. If you say it too cheerfully, it might sound like you're glad they lost something.
History is alive
Hungarians talk about 1526 like it was last week. Don't be surprised if people start explaining the whole battle to you!
Test Yourself
Match the situation with the best response.
1. Someone's house burned down. 2. Someone dropped their pen. 3. Someone lost their job.
The idiom is only for minor, trivial losses like dropping a pen.
Complete the idiom.
Több is ______ Mohácsnál.
The idiom uses the fixed archaic form 'veszett'.
Which suffix is correct for the location?
Több is veszett Mohács____.
The adessive case '-nál' is used for battles occurring 'at' a place.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Elvesztettem a tíz eurómat! B: ______
This is the natural way to comfort someone over a small financial loss.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Scale of Disaster
When to say it
Home
- • Broken plate
- • Burnt toast
- • No WiFi
School
- • Bad grade
- • Forgot book
- • Late for class
Travel
- • Missed bus
- • Rainy day
- • Flat tire
Practice Bank
4 exercises1. Someone's house burned down. 2. Someone dropped their pen. 3. Someone lost their job.
The idiom is only for minor, trivial losses like dropping a pen.
Több is ______ Mohácsnál.
The idiom uses the fixed archaic form 'veszett'.
Több is veszett Mohács____.
The adessive case '-nál' is used for battles occurring 'at' a place.
A: Elvesztettem a tíz eurómat! B: ______
This is the natural way to comfort someone over a small financial loss.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's a standard idiom. Hungarians are proud of their history and use it as a source of humor.
Maybe with a very close friend as a joke, but generally no. It's for material things or minor mistakes.
It means 'also' or 'even'. It emphasizes that Mohács was a *much* bigger loss.
Yes, it's a town in Southern Hungary on the Danube river.
Yes, though they might use it more ironically than older generations.
No, that would mean 'Less was lost,' which makes no sense in this context.
Yes, 'veszett kutya' means 'mad dog,' but in this idiom, it's the archaic past tense of 'to be lost'.
Like the 'ch' in 'chocolate'.
Not really. In formal settings, you just wouldn't use an idiom like this.
Because Mohács ended the Hungarian Kingdom's independence for 150 years. It's the 'ultimate' loss.
Related Phrases
Sebaj
similarNever mind / No problem
Sírva vigad a magyar
builds onThe Hungarian makes merry while crying
Nem a világ vége
synonymIt's not the end of the world
Meghalt Mátyás, oda az igazság
similarKing Matthias died, justice is gone
