Greetings – Üdvözlés

What else could I start with if not the different ways of greetings? :)

Although English greetings can be translated to Hungarian, there are slight differences regarding when and how to use them.

Hello!/ Hi! / Szia!/ Szevasz! /Szervusz!

Hello! - because of English influence we use „Hello!”, as well as „ Hi!” but funnily we use them not only to „say hello” but also to „say good-bye”. So it is completely normal and accepted if a Hungarian says „Hello” at the end of the conversation. Similarly we use „Szia” in both cases too, and yes, the pronunciation is very similar to See you! :)

Szevasz! and Szervusz! are also used but not so frequently. Another thing to remember is that age matters in Hungary. :) What I mean is, if you meet someone for the first time and clearly they are much older than you, try to avoid using these greetings. Stick to the below ones. I will tell you why later.

Good morning! /Good afternoon! - Jó reggelt!/ Jó napot!

So while the English say „Good morning!” till basically noon we say „Jó reggelt!” till about 10 am and after that we say „Jó napot!” till basically 6/7 pm. It is confusing for somebody learning Hungarian as „reggel” means „morning” and „nap” means „day”. „Afternoon” in Hungarian is „délután”, but we don't say Jó délutánt! :) Easy, isn't it? And if you think „good” means „jó”, you are right :)

Both of these greetings you use when you meet somebody in the street, but not when you say „good bye” as we have the next expression for that.

Good bye!/ Bye-bye!/ See you! - A viszont látásra!/ Viszont látásra!/ Viszlát!

So, how to make a difference? „A viszont látásra!” is the most formal, and I think mainly the elderly use it. „Viszont látásra!” is the general way of saying goodbye and „Viszlát!” is the least formal. Mind you, friends say Szia!.

And when it is getting dark…

Good evening! - Jó estét!

„Este” is „evening”, so we go back to our good + part of the day pattern! Why is it „estét” and not „este”? Let me explain it a bit later, I don't want to freak you out. :)

So we use „Jó estét!” when we meet someone in the evening, but when we say good bye, we tend to say „Szia! Hello! Viszont látásra! Viszlát!” And if it is late and quite likely you go home to sleep after the meeting, I mean separately ;), then you say „Jó éjszakát!” which is „Good night!”

Some American influence – Have a nice day! - Szép napot!

I use this expression as I lived abroad and have several foreign friends so it comes to me naturally. However, there are some people in Hungary who find it unnatural. We started to use this expression about 10-15 years ago for American influence. You can use it, noone will get insulted or anything, but don't be surprised if you don't hear it too often.

So Hello! Szia! Szevasz! And Viszlát! next time