remél

The Hungarian verb remél is the foundational word for expressing optimism, anticipation, and the desire for a positive outcome in the future. At its core, it translates to the English 'to hope'. However, in the Hungarian linguistic landscape, 'remél' carries a specific weight of intentionality. It is not merely a passive wish—which might be better expressed by 'szeretné' (would like) or 'vágyik' (longs for)—but rather a cognitive state where one looks toward a possibility with a degree of expectation. Whether you are a beginner at the A1 level or an advanced speaker, 'remél' is an indispensable tool for daily communication, appearing in everything from casual greetings to formal political discourse.

Daily Optimism

Used when expressing simple desires for the weather, health, or small successes. For example, 'Remélem, sütni fog a nap' (I hope the sun will shine).

Formal Expectations

In business or diplomatic contexts, it signals a professional expectation of a positive result. 'A cég reméli a sikeres együttműködést' (The company hopes for successful cooperation).

Emotional Support

Providing comfort to others by projecting a better future. 'Remélem, minden rendben lesz' (I hope everything will be alright).

The verb 'remél' is transitive, meaning it can take a direct object, but most frequently, it introduces a subordinate clause starting with 'hogy' (that). In Hungarian, the distinction between 'remél' and its frequentative form 'reménykedik' is vital. While 'remél' is the act of hoping for a specific thing, 'reménykedik' implies a more continuous, sometimes desperate state of being hopeful. If you are waiting for a bus, you 'reméled' (hope) it comes soon; if you are waiting for a miracle in a difficult life situation, you are 'reménykedsz' (hoping/clinging to hope).

Culturally, Hungarians might be stereotyped as pessimistic, but the frequent use of 'remél' in speech suggests a deep-seated resilience. It is a word of survival. During the 19th-century national awakening, poets used 'remél' to envision a free Hungary. Today, it is used in the same breath as 'bízik' (to trust/have faith in), though 'remél' is more about the internal feeling and 'bízik' is more about the external reliance on someone or something.

Philosophical Context

In literature, 'remél' often appears in discussions about the human condition and the necessity of hope even in 'reménytelen' (hopeless) situations.

Finally, 'remél' is the root of many other useful words. By understanding this one verb, you unlock the door to 'remény' (hope, the noun), 'reménytelen' (hopeless), and 'reményteljes' (hopeful/promising). It is a semantic pillar of the Hungarian language that connects the heart's desires with the mind's expectations.

Using 'remél' correctly requires an understanding of Hungarian conjugation and clause structure. The most common pattern is: [Subject] + [remél conjugated] + [hogy] + [subordinate clause]. Because the subordinate clause acts as a specific thing being hoped for, speakers almost always use the definite (objective) conjugation. For instance, 'Remélem, hogy jössz' (I hope that you are coming). Note that in spoken Hungarian, the word 'hogy' is frequently omitted, but the definite conjugation 'remélem' remains, signaling that a specific thought follows.

Definite Conjugation (Most Common)

Remélem (I hope it), reméled (you hope it), reméli (he/she hopes it). Used when followed by 'hogy' or a specific noun.

Indefinite Conjugation

Remélek (I hope), remélsz (you hope), remél (he/she hopes). Used when the object is general or absent. 'Még mindig remélek' (I am still hoping).

When 'remél' takes a noun as a direct object, the noun must be in the accusative case (ending in -t). For example, 'Sikert remélünk' (We hope for success). Here, 'sikert' is the accusative of 'siker'. If you want to say you hope *for* something using a prepositional approach, Hungarian often uses the accusative directly rather than a specific 'for' suffix, though 'reménykedik valamiben' (to hope in something) is an alternative construction for more abstract hopes.

For A1 learners, the most important phrase to master is 'Remélem, jól vagy' (I hope you are well). This demonstrates the definite conjugation and the common omission of 'hogy'. As you progress to B1 and B2, you will start using 'remél' with the conditional mood to express more tentative hopes: 'Remélni merném' (I would dare to hope). The verb also pairs well with adverbs like 'őszintén' (sincerely), 'titokban' (secretly), or 'hiába' (in vain).

Negation

To negate, place 'nem' before the verb: 'Nem remélek semmit' (I don't hope for anything). However, it's more common to say 'Nincs remény' (There is no hope) for total lack of hope.

Finally, consider the word order. While Hungarian is flexible, 'remél' usually stays near the subject or at the start of the main clause to emphasize the act of hoping. 'Én remélem' emphasizes *I* am the one hoping, whereas 'Remélem én' might be used for stylistic flair in songs or poems.

'Remél' is ubiquitous in Hungarian life. You will hear it the moment you step off a plane at Liszt Ferenc Airport and interact with locals. It is a 'social lubricant' word. When saying goodbye, instead of just 'Goodbye,' a Hungarian might say, 'Remélem, hamarosan találkozunk' (I hope we meet soon). This adds a layer of warmth and personal connection to the interaction. In the workplace, it’s used to manage expectations: 'Reméljük, a projekt időben elkészül' (We hope the project will be finished on time).

In the Media

News anchors frequently use 'remél' when discussing economic forecasts or weather reports. 'A meteorológusok napos időt remélnek a hétvégére.'

In Literature

Hungarian literature is rich with 'remény' (hope). From the national anthem to modern novels, the act of hoping against the odds is a central theme.

In pop culture, you'll find 'remél' in countless song lyrics. Hungarian pop and rock often deal with themes of unrequited love or social change, where 'remél' serves as the emotional bridge. If you listen to a radio talk show, callers often start their sentences with 'Hát, remélem...' (Well, I hope...) when expressing their opinions on community matters. It’s also a staple in family life—parents telling children, 'Remélem, tanultál a vizsgára' (I hope you studied for the exam).

Another interesting place to hear 'remél' is in the medical field. Doctors in Hungary often use it to be cautious yet encouraging: 'Reméljük a legjobbakat' (Let's hope for the best). This specific phrase is a cultural staple when dealing with uncertainty. In politics, 'remél' is used to soften promises. Instead of saying 'We will lower taxes,' a politician might say 'Reméljük, hogy csökkenteni tudjuk az adókat,' providing a linguistic safety net.

Social Media

On Facebook or Instagram, you'll see comments like 'Remélem, jól éreztétek magatokat!' (I hope you guys had a good time!) under vacation photos.

In summary, 'remél' is not just a word; it's a social and emotional tool used to navigate the uncertainties of life with a Hungarian flair. Whether it's the 'Remélem' at the end of a phone call or the 'reméljük' in a business meeting, it connects people through shared expectations.

For English speakers, the biggest hurdle with 'remél' isn't the meaning, but the grammar. Hungarian's definite and indefinite conjugation system often trips up learners. Many students say 'Remélek, hogy...' because they think 'I hope' is a general statement. However, because 'hogy' (that) introduces a specific clause, you *must* use the definite form: 'Remélem, hogy...'. Using the indefinite form here sounds unnatural and is a hallmark of a beginner's mistake.

Confusing 'Remél' with 'Vár'

In English, 'expect' and 'hope' can overlap. In Hungarian, 'vár' means to wait or expect, while 'remél' is strictly about hope. Don't say 'Remélem a buszt' if you mean you are waiting for it; that would imply you are hoping the bus exists or arrives against all odds.

Vowel Harmony Errors

'Remél' is a front-vowel word (e, é). Learners sometimes accidentally apply back-vowel suffixes (like -ok instead of -ek). Correct: Remélek. Incorrect: Remélok.

Another common error is failing to use the accusative case with objects. If you hope for 'peace' (béke), you must say 'Békét remélek,' not 'Béke remélek.' The 't' ending is crucial. Furthermore, English speakers often try to translate 'I hope so' literally as 'Remélek úgy.' This is incorrect. The natural Hungarian way to say 'I hope so' is 'Remélem' (I hope it) or 'Remélhetőleg' (Hopefully).

Misusing 'reménykedik' vs 'remél' is also frequent. 'Reménykedik' is an intransitive verb and often takes the '-ben/-ban' suffix (in something). 'Reménykedem a sikerben' is correct, but 'Remélem a sikerben' is wrong. Use 'remél' for the direct object and 'reménykedik' for the state of being hopeful within a situation. Finally, remember that 'remél' does not take an infinitive directly like 'akar' (want). You can't say 'Remélek menni' (I hope to go); you must say 'Remélem, hogy megyek' (I hope that I go).

The 'Hogy' Trap

While 'hogy' can be omitted, learners often forget that the verb in the 'hogy' clause might need a different mood (like the imperative/subjunctive) if the main verb was a command, but with 'remél', we usually stay in the indicative. Don't overcomplicate it!

By paying attention to these nuances—conjugation, the 'hogy' clause, and the distinction from 'vár'—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and use 'remél' with confidence.

While 'remél' is the standard verb for 'to hope,' Hungarian offers a rich palette of synonyms and related terms that can add precision to your speech. Depending on the intensity of your hope or the context, you might choose a different word. Understanding these alternatives will help you move from A2 to B2 levels by diversifying your vocabulary and expressing more complex emotions.

Reménykedik

The frequentative/continuous version of 'remél'. It suggests a state of hoping over time. 'Még mindig reménykedem' (I'm still hoping). It's more emotional and less about a specific outcome than 'remél'.

Bízik (valamiben/valakiben)

Translates to 'to trust' or 'to have faith in'. While 'remél' is a wish, 'bízik' implies a stronger belief that something will happen. 'Bízom a sikerben' (I trust in the success).

Vágyik (valamire)

'To long for' or 'to yearn'. This is much stronger and more emotional than 'remél'. It’s used for deep desires. 'Szabadságra vágyom' (I long for freedom).

Another alternative is 'vár' (to wait/expect). As mentioned before, 'vár' is more certain. If you say 'Várom a választ' (I'm waiting for/expecting the answer), you assume the answer is coming. If you say 'Remélem a választ,' it sounds like you are uncertain if they will answer at all. For more formal or poetic contexts, you might encounter 'áhítozik' (to crave/long for intensely), though this is rare in daily speech.

Comparing 'remél' and 'szeretne' (would like) is also useful. 'Szeretném, ha jönnél' is a polite request or wish. 'Remélem, hogy jössz' is an expression of your own expectation. In a restaurant, you wouldn't say 'Remélem a levest' (I hope the soup); you would say 'Szeretném a levest' (I would like the soup). 'Remél' is about future events outside your direct control.

Adverbial Alternatives

Instead of using the verb, you can use 'remélhetőleg' (hopefully) or 'talán' (maybe) to express hope. 'Remélhetőleg sikerül' is often more natural than 'Remélem, hogy sikerül'.

Finally, consider the negative side. 'Kétségbeesik' (to despair) is the emotional opposite of 'reménykedik'. If you lose hope, you don't just 'not hope,' you 'elveszti a reményt' (lose hope) or 'reménytelenné válik' (become hopeless). Knowing these related terms allows you to navigate the full emotional spectrum of anticipation in Hungarian.