Top 10 Mistakes Hungarian Learners Make When Learning English
Hungarian is a unique, complex language. This means Hungarian speakers often make very specific errors, like mixing up He/She (since Hungarian doesn't have gendered pronouns) or getting the time wrong!
Top 10 Mistakes
1
β Typical learner sentence:
"My mother is a teacher. He is nice."
π€ Why learners say this:
Hungarian uses 'Ε' for both He and She. It's very hard for Hungarians to remember to swap genders in English.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Very confusing! We think your mother is a man.
β
Natural English version:
"My mother is a teacher. SHE is nice."
2
β Typical learner sentence:
"He is very sympathetic."
π€ Why learners say this:
False friend! Hungarian 'Szimpatikus' means nice/likeable. English 'Sympathetic' means feeling pity/sorry for someone.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like he feels sorry for everyone.
β
Natural English version:
"He is very nice / likeable."
3
β Typical learner sentence:
"See you at half 8." (Meaning 7:30)
π€ Why learners say this:
Hungarian 'FΓ©l nyolc' (Half towards 8) is 7:30. In UK English, 'Half eight' is short for 'Half past eight' (8:30).
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
You will be one hour late!
β
Natural English version:
"See you at 7:30" or "Half seven."
π― Practice: Which Word?
You like your new colleague. You say:
A) He is sympathetic
B) He is likeable
4
β Typical learner sentence:
"You know me?" (As a question)
π€ Why learners say this:
Hungarian indicates questions by intonation. English requires the auxiliary verb 'Do'.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Lazy grammar. Use 'Do'!
β
Natural English version:
"Do you know me?"
5
β Typical learner sentence:
"I feel myself good."
π€ Why learners say this:
Hungarian 'JΓ³l Γ©rzem magam' is reflexive. English 'feel' + adjective is not reflexive.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are physically touching your body.
β
Natural English version:
"I feel good."
6
β Typical learner sentence:
"I have a good program for the weekend."
π€ Why learners say this:
Hungarian 'Program' means a plan/activity. In English, a 'Program' is a TV show or software.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you wrote some computer code for Saturday.
β
Natural English version:
"I have a good plan / activity."
π― Practice: Fix the Sentence
"My sister is clever, he speaks English well."
7
β Typical learner sentence:
"I drank a lemonade."
π€ Why learners say this:
In Hungary, 'LimonΓ‘dΓ©' can be any soft drink or a specific mix. In English, Lemonade is specifically lemon-flavoured.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Specific. If you drank Fanta, don't call it lemonade.
β
Natural English version:
"I drank a soft drink / soda."
8
β Typical learner sentence:
"I wait on the bus."
π€ Why learners say this:
Hungarian 'VΓ‘rok a buszra' (on the bus). English uses 'Wait FOR'.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are already inside the bus waiting for it to move.
β
Natural English version:
"I am waiting FOR the bus."
9
β Typical learner sentence:
"How are you called?"
π€ Why learners say this:
Direct translation of 'Hogy hΓvnak?'. English says 'What is your name?'.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Very foreign phrasing.
β
Natural English version:
"What is your name?"
10
β Typical learner sentence:
"This is a delicious person."
π€ Why learners say this:
Hungarian can use 'finom' (delicious) metaphorically for people (sweet/nice). English ONLY uses delicious for food.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are a cannibal and want to eat them!
β
Natural English version:
"This is a sweet / charming person."
π― Practice: Fix the Sentence
"Let's meet at half 8 (7:30)."
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