The official language of Budapest is Hungarian, which is a Uralic language that is unrelated to most other European languages. Hungarian is the mother tongue of over 90% of the population of Hungary, and it is the most widely spoken language in Budapest.
In addition to Hungarian, many people in Budapest also speak English, particularly in the tourism and hospitality industries. German is also widely spoken, particularly among older generations. Some people in Budapest may also speak other languages such as French, Italian, or Spanish, particularly those who work in international businesses or organizations. However, it’s always a good idea to learn a few basic Hungarian phrases when visiting Budapest, as it can help you navigate the city and communicate with locals.
Here are some useful expressions in Hungarian that may be helpful for visitors to Budapest:
- Hello – Szia (pronounced “see-ya”)
- Goodbye – Viszlát (pronounced “vees-laht”)
- Thank you – Köszönöm (pronounced “ko-so-nom”)
- Yes – Igen (pronounced “ee-gen”)
- No – Nem (pronounced “nem”)
- Excuse me – Elnézést (pronounced “el-nay-zayst”)
- Sorry – Bocsánat (pronounced “boch-sha-naht”)
- Do you speak English? – Beszél angolul? (pronounced “be-seyl on-goh-lool?”)
- How much is it? – Mennyibe kerül? (pronounced “men-yee-be ke-rul?”)
- Can you help me? – Tudna segíteni? (pronounced “tood-nah sheg-ee-teh-nee?”)
Learning a few basic Hungarian phrases can help you communicate with locals and make your trip to Budapest more enjoyable.
