A0 Negation 1 min read Fácil

Yes and No (Igen, Nem)

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Pratique

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Hungarian, use 'Igen' for yes and 'Nem' for no, placed at the start of your sentence.

  • Use 'Igen' to agree: 'Igen, kérek kávét.' (Yes, I would like coffee.)
  • Use 'Nem' to negate: 'Nem, nem kérek kávét.' (No, I do not want coffee.)
  • Double negation is standard: 'Nem' often repeats before the verb.
Igen/Nem + (optional rest of sentence)

Basic Response Patterns

Type Particle Verb/Phrase Example
Affirmative
Igen
tudom
Igen, tudom.
Negative
Nem
nem tudom
Nem, nem tudom.
Polite
Igen
kérem
Igen, kérem.
Polite Negative
Nem
köszönöm
Nem, köszönöm.
Question
Igen?
---
Igen?
Emphatic
Nem
semmiképpen
Nem, semmiképpen.

Common Shortened Responses

Full Shortened
Igen, köszönöm
Igen, köszi
Nem, köszönöm
Nem, köszi

Meanings

These are the fundamental particles used to express agreement or disagreement in response to questions or statements.

1

Direct Answer

Responding to a yes/no question.

“Igen, magyar vagyok.”

“Nem, nem vagyok magyar.”

2

Emphasis

Adding weight to a statement.

“Nem, ez nem igaz!”

“Igen, pontosan így van.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Yes and No (Igen, Nem)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Igen + [Statement]
Igen, megyek.
Negative
Nem + [Negative Verb]
Nem, nem megyek.
Question
Igen?
Igen?
Refusal
Nem + köszönöm
Nem, köszönöm.
Agreement
Igen + pontosan
Igen, pontosan.
Disagreement
Nem + egyáltalán nem
Nem, egyáltalán nem.

Espectro de formalidade

Formal
Nem, köszönöm, nem kérem.

Nem, köszönöm, nem kérem. (Dining)

Neutro
Nem, köszönöm.

Nem, köszönöm. (Dining)

Informal
Nem, köszi.

Nem, köszi. (Dining)

Gíria
Nem.

Nem. (Dining)

The Yes/No Universe

Hungarian Particles

Affirmation

  • Igen Yes
  • Persze Of course

Negation

  • Nem No
  • Soha Never

Affirmative vs Negative

Affirmative
Igen Yes
Negative
Nem No

How to Answer

1

Do you agree?

YES
Use Igen
NO
Use Nem
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

1

Igen, kérek vizet.

Yes, I would like water.

2

Nem, nem vagyok éhes.

No, I am not hungry.

3

Igen, értem.

Yes, I understand.

4

Nem, ez nem jó.

No, this is not good.

1

Igen, elmegyek a boltba.

Yes, I will go to the shop.

2

Nem, nem tudom, hol van.

No, I don't know where it is.

3

Igen, tetszik a ház.

Yes, I like the house.

4

Nem, nem láttam a filmet.

No, I haven't seen the movie.

1

Igen, természetesen segítek.

Yes, of course I will help.

2

Nem, sajnos nem tudok jönni.

No, unfortunately I cannot come.

3

Igen, egyetértek veled.

Yes, I agree with you.

4

Nem, nem gondoltam volna.

No, I wouldn't have thought so.

1

Igen, a döntés végleges.

Yes, the decision is final.

2

Nem, semmiképpen nem fogadom el.

No, I will not accept it under any circumstances.

3

Igen, éppen ezt kerestem.

Yes, this is exactly what I was looking for.

4

Nem, nem áll szándékomban.

No, it is not my intention.

1

Igen, bár kissé szokatlan.

Yes, although it is somewhat unusual.

2

Nem, nem csupán a pénzről van szó.

No, it is not just about the money.

3

Igen, kétségkívül ez a legjobb megoldás.

Yes, undoubtedly this is the best solution.

4

Nem, nem hagyhatjuk figyelmen kívül.

No, we cannot ignore it.

1

Igen, a kontextus megköveteli.

Yes, the context demands it.

2

Nem, nem áll módunkban teljesíteni.

No, we are not in a position to fulfill it.

3

Igen, a hipotézis beigazolódott.

Yes, the hypothesis has been confirmed.

4

Nem, nem tekinthető elfogadhatónak.

No, it cannot be considered acceptable.

Fácil de confundir

Yes and No (Igen, Nem) vs Nem vs Nincs

Learners use 'Nem' for everything.

Yes and No (Igen, Nem) vs Nem vs Ne

Learners use 'Nem' for commands.

Yes and No (Igen, Nem) vs Igen vs Ja

Learners think 'Ja' is formal.

Erros comuns

✗

Nem, tudom.

✓

Nem, nem tudom.

You must repeat the negation before the verb.
✗

Igen tudom.

✓

Igen, tudom.

Missing the comma.
✗

Nem, kérek.

✓

Nem, köszönöm.

Using 'kérek' (I want) instead of 'köszönöm' (thank you) when declining.
✗

Nem, nem.

✓

Nem, köszönöm.

Too blunt.
✗

Nem, nem vagyok.

✓

Nem, nem vagyok éhes.

Incomplete sentence.
✗

Igen, nem.

✓

Igen.

Contradictory response.
✗

Nem, nem akarom.

✓

Nem, köszönöm.

Using 'akarom' (I want) is too aggressive.
✗

Nem, nem gondolom.

✓

Nem, nem úgy gondolom.

Missing the adverb.
✗

Igen, ez igaz.

✓

Igen, ez így igaz.

Missing the modifier.
✗

Nem, nem lehetséges.

✓

Nem, ez nem lehetséges.

Missing the subject.
✗

Nem, nem látom a pontot.

✓

Nem, nem látom a lényeget.

Using the wrong word for 'point'.
✗

Igen, értem a pontot.

✓

Igen, értem a lényeget.

Same as above.
✗

Nem, nem vagyok biztos.

✓

Nem, nem vagyok benne biztos.

Missing the prepositional phrase.

Padrões de frases

Igen, ___ vagyok.

Nem, nem ___.

Igen, ___ szeretem.

Nem, ___ nem igaz.

Real World Usage

Ordering food constant

Igen, kérek.

Texting very common

Igen!

Job interview common

Nem, köszönöm.

Travel common

Nem értem.

Social media common

Igen, egyetértek.

Delivery app common

Nem, nem kérek zacskót.

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos
💡

The Comma Rule

Always use a comma after 'Igen' or 'Nem'. It makes your writing look professional.
⚠️

Double Negation

Don't forget to repeat 'nem' before the verb. 'Nem tudom' is the correct way to say 'I don't know'.
🎯

Politeness

When saying 'Nem', add 'köszönöm' to be polite. It softens the refusal.
💬

Directness

Hungarians appreciate a clear 'Nem' over a vague 'maybe'. Don't be afraid to be direct.

Smart Tips

Always start with the particle and a comma.

Igen tudom → Igen, tudom.

Repeat 'nem' before the verb.

Nem tudom → Nem, nem tudom.

Add 'köszönöm' after 'Nem'.

Nem. → Nem, köszönöm.

Use 'egyáltalán nem' (not at all).

Nem, nem. → Nem, egyáltalán nem.

Pronúncia

/ˈiɡɛn/

Igen

Pronounced as 'ee-gen'. The 'g' is hard like in 'get'.

/nɛm/

Nem

Pronounced as 'nem'. The 'e' is short like in 'bed'.

Falling

Igen. ↘

Definitive agreement.

Rising

Igen? ↗

Questioning or showing interest.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Igen sounds like 'I gain' (a positive thing), Nem sounds like 'Numb' (a negative, dead feeling).

Associação visual

Imagine a green checkmark for 'Igen' and a red X for 'Nem'.

Rhyme

Igen is yes, Nem is no, learn them well and watch your Hungarian grow.

Story

You are at a market. A vendor asks if you want apples. You say 'Igen!' and get a basket. Then they ask if you want rotten ones. You say 'Nem, nem!' and walk away.

Word Web

IgenNemKöszönömKérekTudomIgaz

Desafio

For the next 5 minutes, answer every question you ask yourself with 'Igen' or 'Nem' in Hungarian.

Notas culturais

Hungarians value directness. 'Nem' is not considered rude if followed by 'köszönöm'.

In some rural areas, 'Ja' is used for 'Igen'.

Young people often use 'Nem' to mean 'No way'.

Igen comes from 'így van' (so it is). Nem comes from 'ne' + 'm'.

Iniciadores de conversa

“

Szereted a kávét?

“

Magyar vagy?

“

El tudsz jönni ma?

“

Egyetértesz ezzel a tervvel?

Temas para diário

Write about three things you like and three things you don't like.
Describe a time you had to say no to someone.
Argue for or against a popular topic.
Reflect on a difficult decision you made.

Erros comuns

Incorrect

Correto

Incorrect

Correto

Incorrect

Correto

Incorrect

Correto

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct particle.

___, magyar vagyok.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen
Igen is for affirmation.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Nem tudom.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nem, nem tudom.
Double negation is required.
Which is the polite way to say no? Múltipla escolha

How to decline coffee?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nem, köszönöm.
Adding köszönöm is polite.
Order the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nem, nem tudom.
Correct structure.
Translate to Hungarian. Tradução

Yes, I understand.

Answer starts with: Ige...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen, értem.
Igen + értem.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Szereted a teát? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen, szeretem.
Affirmative response.
Sort into Affirmative or Negative. Grammar Sorting

Igen, Nem, Persze, Soha

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Affirmative: Igen, Persze; Negative: Nem, Soha
Correct categorization.
Match the response. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen-Yes, Nem-No
Basic definitions.

Score: /8

Exercicios praticos

8 exercises
Fill in the correct particle.

___, magyar vagyok.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen
Igen is for affirmation.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Nem tudom.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nem, nem tudom.
Double negation is required.
Which is the polite way to say no? Múltipla escolha

How to decline coffee?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nem, köszönöm.
Adding köszönöm is polite.
Order the words. Sentence Reorder

nem / tudom / Nem / ,

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nem, nem tudom.
Correct structure.
Translate to Hungarian. Tradução

Yes, I understand.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen, értem.
Igen + értem.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Szereted a teát? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen, szeretem.
Affirmative response.
Sort into Affirmative or Negative. Grammar Sorting

Igen, Nem, Persze, Soha

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Affirmative: Igen, Persze; Negative: Nem, Soha
Correct categorization.
Match the response. Match Pairs

Match: Igen, Nem

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Igen-Yes, Nem-No
Basic definitions.

Score: /8

Perguntas frequentes (8)

Yes, it is the standard word for affirmation.

Hungarian grammar requires the negative particle before the verb.

Yes, but it can sound blunt. Add 'köszönöm' to be polite.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

It means 'No, I know', which is confusing.

'Nem' is for actions, 'Nincs' is for existence.

Yes, 'Ja' for 'Igen' and 'Nem' is just 'Nem'.

Answer questions in your head using these particles.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Cadastre-se grátis para praticar

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Sí/No

Hungarian requires repeating the negative particle.

French high

Oui/Non

Hungarian particle placement is more flexible.

German high

Ja/Nein

Hungarian 'nem' is both particle and adverb.

Japanese moderate

Hai/Iie

Hungarian uses a separate word for negation.

Arabic moderate

Na'am/La

Arabic negation depends on the tense.

Chinese low

Shi/Bu

Hungarian 'Nem' is universal.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
The Question Particle '-e'

Related Grammar Rules

A1

Negation with 'Nem'
A1

Negative Concord: 'Sem' and 'Senki'
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