How to Tell Time in Hungarian: A Guide for English Speakers

Understanding the Basics of Telling Time in Hungarian

Telling time in Hungarian involves understanding how hours and minutes are expressed, as well as the use of specific words for parts of the day. Unlike English, Hungarian often uses a 24-hour clock in formal contexts, but the 12-hour clock is common in everyday speech.

Hungarian Numbers for Hours and Minutes

Before telling time, it's important to know the numbers from 1 to 59 in Hungarian, as these are used for hours and minutes. For example, egy means one, kettő or két means two, and so on.

Key Vocabulary for Telling Time

Here are some essential Hungarian words related to time:

• óra – hour
• perc – minute
• fél – half (used to indicate half past)
• negyed – quarter
• előtt – before
• után – after
• délelőtt – before noon (morning)
• délután – afternoon
• este – evening
• éjjel – night

How to Say the Hour in Hungarian

To say the hour, simply state the number followed by óra. For example, három óra means "three o'clock." In casual speech, óra is often omitted.

Hungarian uses the 24-hour clock in formal situations, such as on timetables or in the military. For example, 15:00 is tizenöt óra (fifteen hours). However, in everyday conversation, the 12-hour clock is more common.

Expressing Minutes Past the Hour

To express minutes past the hour, say the hour followed by the number of minutes. For example, három óra tíz means "three ten" or 3:10.

You can also say the minutes first, followed by perc (minute), then the hour. For example, tíz perc múlt három means "ten minutes past three." This form is more formal.

Using 'Half' and 'Quarter' in Hungarian Time

Hungarian uses fél to indicate half an hour before the next hour. For example, fél négy literally means "half four," but it actually means 3:30.

Similarly, negyed means a quarter of an hour. Negyed négy means 3:15 (a quarter past three), and háromnegyed négy means 3:45 (three quarters past three, or a quarter to four).

Examples of Telling Time in Hungarian

• 1:00 – egy óra
• 2:15 – negyed három (quarter past two)
• 3:30 – fél négy (half past three)
• 4:45 – háromnegyed öt (quarter to five)
• 5:10 – öt óra tíz (five ten)
• 6:50 – tíz perc múlva hét (ten minutes to seven)

AM and PM in Hungarian

Hungarian does not commonly use AM and PM. Instead, context or words like délelőtt (before noon) and délután (afternoon) clarify the time of day. For example, délelőtt tíz means 10 AM, and délután három means 3 PM.

Practice Phrases for Telling Time