How to Count and Use Numbers in Hungarian for English Speakers

Introduction to Hungarian Numbers

Learning numbers is essential when studying Hungarian. This article will guide English speakers through the basics of counting and using numbers in Hungarian, including cardinal and ordinal numbers, pronunciation tips, and common uses.

Basic Cardinal Numbers in Hungarian

Hungarian numbers from 0 to 10 are the foundation for counting. Here are the numbers with their English equivalents:

Note: 'kettő' is used when counting, but 'két' is used before nouns (e.g., két könyv = two books).

Numbers from 11 to 20

Hungarian forms numbers 11 to 19 by combining the base number with the suffix '-tíz' (meaning 'ten'). For example:

Tens, Hundreds, and Thousands

Hungarian forms multiples of ten by adding '-van' or '-ven' to the base number, depending on vowel harmony:

Hundreds and thousands are formed by adding 'száz' (hundred) and 'ezer' (thousand) after the base number:

Pronunciation Tips for Hungarian Numbers

Hungarian pronunciation is generally phonetic. Here are some tips for numbers:

• 'gy' sounds like the 'd' in 'due' (e.g., 'egy' sounds like 'edge')
• 'sz' is pronounced like English 's' (e.g., 'száz' sounds like 'saaz')
• Vowel harmony affects suffixes and endings
• Stress is always on the first syllable

Using Numbers with Nouns

When using numbers with nouns, Hungarian often changes the form of the number and the noun. For example, the number two changes from 'kettő' to 'két' before a noun:

Ordinal Numbers in Hungarian

Ordinal numbers indicate position or order (first, second, third, etc.). They are formed by adding the suffix '-odik' or '-edik' to the base number:

Note: 'első' (first) is irregular and must be memorized.

Practice Examples

Here are some example sentences using numbers in Hungarian:

English: I have three apples.
Hungarian: Három almám van.

English: She is the second person.
Hungarian: Ő a második ember.

Summary

Mastering numbers in Hungarian involves learning the basic cardinal and ordinal numbers, understanding pronunciation, and knowing how numbers interact with nouns. Practice regularly to become comfortable with counting and using numbers in everyday conversation.