szegény in 30 Seconds
- Szegény primarily means 'poor' in a financial sense, indicating a lack of money or assets.
- It is widely used to express sympathy, similar to the English 'poor' in 'Poor John'.
- The word can describe meager quality or quantity, such as a 'poor selection' of items.
- As an adjective, it follows standard Hungarian grammar, becoming 'szegények' in the plural.
The Hungarian word szegény is a foundational adjective that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it translates to 'poor' or 'needy' in English, but its semantic range extends far beyond mere financial status. In Hungarian, szegény is used to describe a lack of material wealth, a lack of quality, and most importantly, to express sympathy or pity toward someone regardless of their bank account balance.
- Financial Status (Anyagi helyzet)
- This is the primary dictionary definition. It describes individuals, families, or nations that lack the resources for a comfortable life. It is the direct antonym of gazdag (rich).
- Expressing Sympathy (Sajnálat)
- Hungarians frequently use szegény as a prefix to a name or person to say 'Poor [Name]'. For example, if your friend loses their keys, you might say, 'Szegény Péter!' This usage is incredibly common in daily conversation and shows empathy.
- Quality and Quantity (Minőség és mennyiség)
- Just like in English, it can describe something that is deficient. A 'szegényes választék' means a poor or meager selection of goods.
A szegény ember nem tud sok húst venni.
Understanding the nuance between the literal and the empathetic use is key. When used before a noun (attributive position), it often carries the 'pitiable' meaning. When used after a linking verb like 'van' (is), it usually refers to financial state. For example, 'A gyerek szegény' (The child is poor/impoverished) versus 'Szegény gyerek!' (Poor child! - expressing pity because he fell down).
Szegény kutyának nincs otthona.
- Idiomatic Usage
- The phrase 'szegény ember vízzel főz' (a poor man cooks with water) is a popular proverb meaning that one must make do with the limited resources they have available.
Ebben a városban sok szegény család él.
Using szegény correctly requires paying attention to its position in the sentence and the specific grammatical case it might take when functioning as a noun or part of a complex phrase. In Hungarian, adjectives usually precede the noun they modify, and szegény is no exception.
- As an Attributive Adjective
- When it directly precedes a noun, it describes a quality of that noun. 'Egy szegény ország' (A poor country). Note that in this position, it does not take plural or case endings; only the noun does.
- As a Predicative Adjective
- When it follows a linking verb (like 'to be'), it must agree in number with the subject. 'Ő szegény' (He/she is poor), but 'Ők szegények' (They are poor).
Nem akarok szegény lenni öregkoromra.
When using szegény to express sympathy, it often acts almost like a title. In 'Szegény nagymama beteg,' the word szegény colors the entire sentence with a tone of concern. It isn't saying the grandmother has no money; it's saying 'Poor grandmother is sick.'
Ez a falu szegényebb, mint a szomszédos város.
In formal writing, you might encounter the noun form szegénység (poverty). 'A szegénység elleni küzdelem' (The fight against poverty) is a common phrase in news and political discourse. If you want to describe a 'poorly' done action, you would use the adverbial form szegényesen.
A szoba nagyon szegényesen volt berendezve.
- Common Case Endings
- If you use 'szegény' as a noun (meaning 'a poor person'), it can take all 18+ cases: 'Segítettem a szegénynek' (I helped the poor [person] - Dative), 'Láttam a szegényt' (I saw the poor [person] - Accusative).
Szegény fejemnek annyi dolga van!
You will encounter szegény in almost every layer of Hungarian society, from the most formal news broadcasts to the most intimate family conversations. Its versatility makes it indispensable for natural-sounding speech.
- In Everyday Empathy
- If someone tells a story about a misfortune, the listener will almost inevitably interject with 'Szegény!' or 'Szegénykém!' (My poor little one). It is the standard way to show you are listening and you care.
- In Literature and Folk Tales
- Hungarian literature is deeply rooted in the struggles of the peasantry. Titles like 'Szegény emberek' (Poor People) by Zsigmond Móricz highlight the social and psychological weight the word carries in a historical context.
'Volt egyszer egy szegény ember, akinek volt három fia...'
In the news, szegény is often part of compound words or more formal phrases. You might hear about 'szegénynegyedek' (slums/poor quarters) or 'szegény sorsú gyermekek' (children of poor fate/background). This latter phrase is a polite, slightly euphemistic way to refer to children living in poverty.
A szegényebb rétegek számára nehéz a megélhetés.
In a restaurant or shop, if the selection is 'szegényes' (meager), a customer might complain to a companion: 'Elég szegényes a választék' (The choice is quite poor). This uses the adjective with a suffix to describe the quality of an assortment.
Szegény párja nem tudta, mit tegyen.
While szegény is a simple word, its dual nature as both a financial descriptor and an emotional marker leads to several common pitfalls for English speakers.
- Confusing 'Poor' (Quality) with 'Bad'
- In English, we say 'poor health' or 'poor performance.' In Hungarian, while you can use szegényes for quality, 'poor health' is usually 'rossz egészség' (bad health). Using szegény here sounds like the health itself has no money.
- Overusing the Slang 'Csóró'
- Learners often pick up the slang word 'csóró' (broke/poor). Using 'csóró' when you should use 'szegény' can come across as rude or insensitive, especially when talking about people in genuine need or when expressing sympathy.
Rossz: Szegény időjárásunk volt. (Bad weather)
Helyes: Rossz időjárásunk volt.
Another mistake involves the plural. Remember that if you are talking about 'the poor' as a group, you must use szegények. If you say 'A szegény ember,' you are talking about one specific poor man. If you want to generalize, use the plural or the abstract noun 'szegénység'.
Rossz: Ők szegény. (They poor)
Helyes: Ők szegények.
Finally, be careful with the word 'szegényes'. It means meager or scant. If you say a meal was 'szegényes', it means there wasn't enough food or it was very basic. If you say the meal was 'szegény', it sounds like the meal itself is a sentient being that you feel sorry for!
- The 'Poor Vocabulary' Trap
- In English, we have a 'poor vocabulary.' In Hungarian, we say 'szegényes szókincs.' Using just 'szegény' here is technically understandable but 'szegényes' is the standard colocation for abstract deficiencies.
Hungarian has a rich vocabulary to describe different levels and types of poverty or misfortune. Choosing the right synonym can make your Hungarian sound much more nuanced and sophisticated.
- Nincstelen vs. Szegény
- While szegény means poor, nincstelen literally means 'one who has nothing' (from 'nincs' - there is not). It is a much stronger word, describing absolute destitution.
- Rászoruló
- This means 'in need' or 'needy.' It is the standard term used by charities and social services. It is more formal and less emotionally charged than szegény.
- Sanyarú
- This adjective describes a 'miserable' or 'bitter' state of poverty. You often hear 'sanyarú sors' (a miserable fate).
A nincstelen vándor az utcán aludt.
If you want to describe someone who is temporarily out of cash (broke), the slang leégett (burnt out) is perfect. 'Teljesen leégtem' means 'I am completely broke.' For a more permanent but still informal 'poor,' csóró is used among friends.
Sok rászoruló család kapott ételt.
- Koldusszegény
- This is an emphatic compound word: 'beggar-poor.' It describes extreme poverty, equivalent to 'dirt poor' in English.
In summary, while szegény is the 'safe' all-rounder, use nincstelen for extreme lack, rászoruló for formal contexts, and csóró for casual banter.
Examples by Level
A szegény ember éhes.
The poor man is hungry.
Simple adjective-noun-adjective structure.
Szegény cica, fázik!
Poor kitty, it's cold!
Empathetic use of 'szegény' as an exclamation.
Nem vagyok gazdag, szegény vagyok.
I am not rich, I am poor.
Contrast between 'gazdag' and 'szegény'.
Ez egy szegény falu.
This is a poor village.
Attributive use modifying 'falu'.
Szegény Anna, elvesztette a táskáját.
Poor Anna, she lost her bag.
Sympathy used with a proper name.
A gyerekek szegények.
The children are poor.
Plural form of the adjective used predicatively.
Van egy szegény barátom.
I have a poor friend.
Basic 'van' (to have) construction.
Szegény nagypapa sokat dolgozik.
Poor grandpa works a lot.
Expressing sympathy for someone's hard work.
Ez a ház szegényebb, mint a miénk.
This house is poorer than ours.
Comparative form '-ebb'.
A szegényeknek nincs sok pénzük.
The poor (people) don't have much money.
Noun use with dative plural ending '-eknek'.
Szegényesen öltözött a férfi.
The man was poorly dressed.
Adverbial form 'szegényesen'.
A boltban szegényes volt a kínálat.
The selection in the shop was meager.
Adjective 'szegényes' describing quality.
Segítsünk a szegény gyerekeken!
Let's help the poor children!
Imperative with 'szegény' as an attribute.
Ő a legszegényebb ember a városban.
He is the poorest man in town.
Superlative form 'leg...ebb'.
Szegény fejem, elfelejtettem a neved!
My poor head, I forgot your name!
Idiomatic expression of self-pity/forgetfulness.
A szegény ember sokat spórol.
The poor man saves a lot.
Generalizing about a 'szegény ember'.
A szegény ember vízzel főz, de jól lakik.
The poor man cooks with water, but eats his fill.
Full proverb usage.
A szegénység nagy probléma a világon.
Poverty is a big problem in the world.
Abstract noun 'szegénység'.
Szegénynek született, de gazdag lett.
He was born poor, but became rich.
Use of dative case to show state at birth.
Ez a terület ásványkincsekben szegény.
This area is poor in minerals.
Describing a lack of resources with 'szegény'.
Szegénykém, ne sírj, minden rendben lesz!
My poor little one, don't cry, everything will be fine!
Diminutive 'szegénykém' for affection.
A szegényes vacsora után még éhes maradt.
After the meager dinner, he remained hungry.
Adjective 'szegényes' vs 'szegény'.
A szegény sorsú embereknek több támogatás kell.
People of poor fate need more support.
Compound adjective 'szegény sorsú'.
Nem mindenki szegény, aki annak látszik.
Not everyone is poor who looks it.
Relative clause construction.
A kormány küzd a mélyszegénység ellen.
The government is fighting against deep poverty.
Compound noun 'mélyszegénység'.
A regény a szegények mindennapjait mutatja be.
The novel presents the everyday lives of the poor.
Genitive-like construction with plural noun.
Szegény ember az, akinek nincs barátja.
A poor man is he who has no friend.
Philosophical use of the term.
A szegényes szókincs akadályozza a kommunikációt.
Poor vocabulary hinders communication.
Abstract quality description.
A környék elég szegényes, de tiszta.
The neighborhood is quite meager/shabby, but clean.
Describing an environment.
Szegény ördög, nem tudja, mire vállalkozott.
Poor devil, he doesn't know what he took on.
Idiomatic 'szegény ördög' (poor devil/soul).
A szegények és gazdagok közötti szakadék nő.
The gap between the poor and the rich is growing.
Social-political terminology.
Szegény fejemnek mennyi mindent kell megjegyeznie!
My poor head has so many things to remember!
Dative possessive with 'szegény'.
A művész sanyarú, szegény körülmények között alkotott.
The artist created under miserable, poor conditions.
Synonym pairing for emphasis.
A szegénység nem bűn, de kellemetlen.
Poverty is not a crime, but it is unpleasant.
Aphoristic usage.
A szegényes érvelés nem győzte meg a zsűrit.
The poor reasoning did not convince the jury.
Transferring the concept to logic/rhetoric.
A vidék elszegényedése megállíthatatlannak tűnik.
The impoverishment of the countryside seems unstoppable.
Verbal noun 'elszegényedés'.
Szegény, mint a templom egere.
Poor as a church mouse.
Classic simile.
A szegényeknek kijáró tisztelettel bánt vele.
He treated him with the respect due to the poor.
Complex participial phrase.
A szegényes fantázia jele a másolás.
Copying is a sign of a poor imagination.
Abstract character trait.
Szegény feje, bárcsak hallgatott volna rám!
His poor head, if only he had listened to me!
Third person idiomatic sympathy.
A szegény sorsúak társadalmi mobilitása korlátozott.
The social mobility of those of poor fate is limited.
Sociological academic phrasing.
A szegénység kultúrája generációkon át öröklődik.
The culture of poverty is inherited through generations.
Complex sociological concept.
Az író szegényes, mégis szuggesztív nyelvezetet használ.
The writer uses a meager, yet suggestive language.
Literary criticism.
A szegények iránti szolidaritás a társadalom alapköve.
Solidarity toward the poor is the cornerstone of society.
Ethical/Philosophical discourse.
A szegényes infrastruktúra gátolja a gazdasági növekedést.
Poor infrastructure hinders economic growth.
Economic terminology.
Szegény az, aki sokat kíván, de keveset tesz.
Poor is he who desires much but does little.
Complex philosophical inversion.
A szegények pártfogójaként vált ismertté.
He became known as the patron of the poor.
Formal role description.
A szegénységből való kitörés rögös útja.
The rocky path of breaking out of poverty.
Metaphorical noun phrase.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— One must make do with the limited resources they have. It's about ingenuity in poverty.
Nincs vaj a hűtőben? Sebaj, szegény ember vízzel főz.
— Extremely poor, having absolutely nothing. A common simile.
A szerencsejáték után szegény lett, mint a templom egere.
— Often used ironically to say that the world is set up against the poor, or sometimes that they have nothing to lose.
Ebben az országban nem a szegénynek áll a világ.
— A traditional blessing said when giving alms, asking God to reward the poor person's patience or the giver's kindness.
Adtam neki egy kabátot, ő pedig azt mondta: Isten fizesse meg!
— A classic trope describing someone who is poor but maintains their integrity.
A nagyapám szegény, de becsületes ember volt.
— A common paradoxical phrase meaning although we lack money, our lives are full of happiness or love.
Nincs autónk, de szegények vagyunk, de jól élünk.
— Misfortunes tend to pile up on those who are already struggling. Bad luck follows the poor.
Elvesztette a munkáját és még a háza is leégett; a szegény embert még az ág is húzza.
— An expression used when someone feels overwhelmed by tasks or worries.
Jaj, szegény fejemnek, mikorra végzek ezzel?
— To fall into poverty or become destitute.
A család a háború után szegény sorsra jutott.
— Something intended for or suitable only for poor people (often used dismissively).
Ez az olcsó étel csak a szegényeknek való.
Idioms & Expressions
— Making do with what is available.
Nincs pénzünk étteremre, szegény ember vízzel főz.
neutral— To be penniless.
A válás után szegény lett, mint a templom egere.
informal— When it rains, it pours (for the poor).
Beteg is lett a kirúgás után, szegény embert még az ág is húzza.
neutralSummary
The word 'szegény' is a versatile adjective that bridges the gap between socio-economic status and emotional empathy. Whether you are discussing poverty levels or comforting a friend who had a bad day, 'szegény' is the essential term for expressing lack or pity. Example: 'Szegény ember vízzel főz' (A poor man makes do with what he has).
- Szegény primarily means 'poor' in a financial sense, indicating a lack of money or assets.
- It is widely used to express sympathy, similar to the English 'poor' in 'Poor John'.
- The word can describe meager quality or quantity, such as a 'poor selection' of items.
- As an adjective, it follows standard Hungarian grammar, becoming 'szegények' in the plural.
