Hungarian Basic Course 1732 Studios

Hungarian · Unit 6

Unit 6: Szép város Budapest

Volume 1

Budapest is a beautiful city

369 lines

Basic Sentences I

  1. 1

    Where are we going today?

    Hovawhere to, in which direction
    megyünkwe go
    ma?today
  2. 2

    Let's first go to the Hungarian National Bank. I want to cash a check. Afterwards we'll meet John Nagy. We're going to see the city.

ma
today
Nemzeti
national
beváltani
to cash
  1. 3

    What branch office do you want to go to?

  2. 4

    I think there's one next to the city hall. Do you know where the city hall is?

Melyik
which
Úgy
so, like
tudom
as far as I know
városháza
city hall
mellett
next to, beside, by
  1. 5

    I don't know - no use asking me. Why don't you ask the doorman?

  2. 6

    All right, I'll ask him.

  3. 7

    Where are we going today?

  4. 8

    Let's first go to the Hungarian National Bank. I want to cash a check. Afterwards we'll meet John Nagy. We're going to see the city.

  5. 9

    What branch office do you want to go to?

  6. 10

    I think there's one next to the city hall. Do you know where the city hall is?

  7. 11

    I don't know - no use asking me. Why don't you ask the doorman?

  8. 12

    All right, I'll ask him.

engem
me
hiába
in vain
Miért
why

Basic Sentences II

  1. 13

    Will you tell me, please, where the city hall is? How can I find it?

  1. 14

    Go downtown by bus or by streetcar.

autóbuszon
on bus
  1. 15

    Where's the bus stop?

  2. 16

    It's just in front of the door. However, the streetcar stop is right next to the park.

Éppen
exactly
ajtó
door
előtt
before, in front of
park
park
  1. 17

    Where do I have to get off?

  2. 18

    The driver will tell you later where you have to get off.

leszállni
to get off
jegyszedő
ticket collector
majd
then, later
  1. 19

    Where's the American Consulate?

  2. 20

    It's next to the National Bank, on Liberty Square.

  3. 21

    Will you tell me, please, where the city hall is? How can I find it?

  4. 22

    Go downtown by bus or by streetcar.

  5. 23

    Where's the bus stop?

  6. 24

    It's just in front of the door. However, the streetcar stop is right next to the park.

  7. 25

    Where do I have to get off?

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    The driver will tell you later where you have to get off.

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    Where's the American Consulate?

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    It's next to the National Bank, on Liberty Square.

konzulátus
consulate
Szabadság
freedom, liberty
téren
on the square

Basic Sentences III

  1. 29

    It's Saturday today, and so we're not working.

szombat
Saturday
így
so, like this
  1. 30

    After the bank let's go for a walk. I'd like to see the Museum of Fine Arts.

után
after, behind
sétálni
to walk
Szeretném
I'd like
  1. 31

    All right, let's visit the picture gallery. It's very interesting.

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    What kind of paintings do you like? The modern ones?

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    I don't like modern paintings but old ones.

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    Where's the Museum of Fine Arts?

érdekes
interesting
  1. 35

    It's in the City Park. The famous Stalin monument used to be near there also.

volt
was
közel
near
  1. 36

    Isn't your wife coming with us?

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    Unfortunately she can't today.

  3. 38

    Why? What's she doing?

felesége
your, his wife
velünk
with us
  1. 39

    She's cooking the dinner in the morning. Afterwards she's taking the children to the zoo.

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    And in the afternoon?

délután
afternoon
  1. 41

    In the afternoon she's taking them to a pastry shop. The children like to eat ice cream very much. But they like pastry also.

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    I'm not acquainted with the city yet. What's there in Budapest worth looking at?

érdemes
worth while
  1. 43

    The fort is very interesting. After the museum I'll show you the fort also. The famous Matthias Church and the Fishermen's Bastion are there.

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    Is the Cathedral also in the fort?

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    No. The fort is in Buda; the Cathedral, however, is in Pest.

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    Where's the Parliament? In Pest?

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    Yes, it's on the bank of the Danube. It's a very beautiful building. It's worth seeing too.

  6. 48

    It's Saturday today, and so we're not working.

  7. 49

    After the bank let's go for a walk. I'd like to see the Museum of Fine Arts.

  8. 50

    All right, let's visit the picture gallery. It's very interesting.

  9. 51

    What kind of paintings do you like? The modern ones?

  10. 52

    I don't like modern paintings but old ones.

  11. 53

    Where's the Museum of Fine Arts?

  12. 54

    It's in the City Park. The famous Stalin monument used to be near there also.

  13. 55

    Isn't your wife coming with us?

  14. 56

    Unfortunately she can't today.

  15. 57

    Why? What's she doing?

  16. 58

    She's cooking the dinner in the morning. Afterwards she's taking the children to the zoo.

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    And in the afternoon?

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    In the afternoon she's taking them to a pastry shop. The children like to eat ice cream very much. But they like pastry also.

  19. 61

    I'm not acquainted with the city yet. What's there in Budapest worth looking at?

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    The fort is very interesting. After the museum I'll show you the fort also. The famous Matthias Church and the Fishermen's Bastion are there.

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    Is the Cathedral also in the fort?

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    No. The fort is in Buda; the Cathedral, however, is in Pest.

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    Where's the Parliament? In Pest?

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    Yes, it's on the bank of the Danube. It's a very beautiful building. It's worth seeing too.

Bazilika
cathedral
épület
building

Basic Sentences IV

  1. 67

    (Late afternoon in a café on the bank of the Danube)

  1. 68

    Are there always so many ships on the Danube?

ilyen
such, of this kind
hajó
ship
úszik
you swim; he, she, it swims, floats, sails
Dunán
on the Danube
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    Yes. There are many freighters and passenger ships. There are, of course, excursion boats also.

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    What do the freighters transport?

hajó
freighter
  1. 71

    The freighters bring fruit and vegetables into the capital. From here, on the other hand, they carry machines into other cities and villages.

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    Is it possible to swim in the Danube?

fürdeni
to bathe
  1. 73

    It's possible in the summer, but the water is cold. There are many baths in Budapest. Sick people in particular frequent the thermal baths.

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    How many people there are on the bank of the Danube!

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    If you aren't tired, let's go for a walk also, shall we?

  4. 76

    Gladly, only I'll finish my coffee first. Aren't you going to eat your pastry?

fürdő
bath
  1. 77

    Why, yes, I'll finish it. I'll call the waiter right away and pay him.

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    Right now they're lighting the lamps on the bank of the Danube. Do you see them? They're already on. How beautiful this city is!

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    Magnificent! But here comes the waiter. Check, please.

  4. 80

    (Late afternoon in a café on the bank of the Danube)

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    Are there always so many ships on the Danube?

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    Yes. There are many freighters and passenger ships. There are, of course, excursion boats also.

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    What do the freighters transport?

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    The freighters bring fruit and vegetables into the capital. From here, on the other hand, they carry machines into other cities and villages.

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    Is it possible to swim in the Danube?

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    It's possible in the summer, but the water is cold. There are many baths in Budapest. Sick people in particular frequent the thermal baths.

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    How many people there are on the bank of the Danube!

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    If you aren't tired, let's go for a walk also, shall we?

  13. 89

    Gladly, only I'll finish my coffee first. Aren't you going to eat your pastry?

  14. 90

    Why, yes, I'll finish it. I'll call the waiter right away and pay him.

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    Right now they're lighting the lamps on the bank of the Danube. Do you see them? They're already on. How beautiful this city is!

  16. 92

    Magnificent! But here comes the waiter. Check, please.

Notes on Pronunciation: Consonant Assimilation (Continued)

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    agyseb - fádság - nagyságos - hadsereg - fáradtság

    Practice 1.

  2. 94

    tartsad - tekintse - teremtsed - nagy strapa - gyöngysor

    Practice 1.

  3. 95

    hatszáz - egyszerű - tetszik - gyógyszer

    Practice 2.

  4. 96

    játszva - metsz - adsz - hagysz

    Practice 2.

  5. 97

    nagy zsák - két zsemle - szakadt zseb

    Practice 3.

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    handzsár - halandzsa - bandzsít

    Practice 3.

  7. 99

    nagyzol - kérődzik - pedzi

    Practice 4.

  8. 100

    pedzve - kérődzve - pedz

    Practice 4.

  9. 101

    barátja - kabátjuk - bátyja - pecsétjeik

    Practice 5.

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    osztja - boltja - lantja - tartjuk

    Practice 5.

  1. 103

    adjon - szidja - hagyja - fedje

    Practice 6.

  2. 104

    mindjárt - mondja - hordja - kardjaik

    Practice 6.

  3. 105

    menjünk - kenjük - bánja - fonja

    Practice 7.

  4. 106

    hányja - anyjuk - hunyjon

    Practice 7.

  5. 107

    beszéljen - tanulja - foglaljon - féljen

    Practice 8.

  6. 108

    üljön - keljen - folyjon - találjon

    Practice 8.

Notes on Grammar: The Definite and the Indefinite Forms of the Verb

Two sets of endings

Újságot olvasok. I'm reading a newspaper. Nem ismerem a várost. I don't know the city.

Both verbs are transitive. Olvasok has the I ending met before, -ok. Ismerem has another one, -em. Every transitive verb has two sets of endings.

The definite form is the set a verb takes with a definite object: a várost, the city. The indefinite form is the set it takes with an indefinite object: újságot, a newspaper.

The indefinite form is the one already known

Jól vagyok. I'm well. Mennyi ember sétál a Dunaparton! How many people are walking on the bank of the Danube! These verbs are intransitive.

An intransitive verb takes the present endings met before: vagyok, sétál. The indefinite form of a transitive verb has these same endings: olvasok.

The definite endings follow the stem

The definite endings go on the same stem as the indefinite ones: vár, várom. The stem is again the third person singular indefinite.

Front unrounded vowels are front vowels that are not rounded, as in kérem. The ending follows the vowel of the stem: back várom, front unrounded kérem, front rounded töröm.

The table gives these three verbs in the definite form. In the third person and with ti, the back verb has j: várja. The front verbs have i: kéri, töri.

The Definite and the Indefinite Forms of the Verb, 1 of 2

The Definite and the Indefinite Forms of the Verb, 2 of 2

  1. 109

    I'm reading a newspaper.

  2. 110

    I'll ask the porter.

  3. 111

    They're eating cold ham.

  4. 112

    I don't know the city.

  5. 113

    Where are we going today?

  6. 114

    I'm well.

  7. 115

    How many people are walking on the bank of the Danube!

A. The Definite and the Indefinite Forms of the Verb

Újságot olvasok.  I'm reading a newspaper.
Megkérdezem a portást.  I'll ask the porter.
Hideg sonkát esznek.  They're eating cold ham.
Nem ismerem a várost.  I don't know the city.
Ma hova megyünk?  Where are we going today?
Jól vagyok.  I'm well.
Mennyi ember sétál a Dunaparton!  How many people are walking on the bank of the Danube!

The above examples contain two types of verbs. The words underlined with a single line are known as 'transitive' verbs; that is, the action of the verb is carried over to an object. Thus, a transitive verb usually requires an object to complete its meaning.

The words underlined with a double line are 'intransitive' verbs, forms that do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. Generally the personal endings of the present tense for an intransitive verb in Hungarian are the same as those given in the chart in Unit 2 for the present tense forms.

Every transitive verb in Hungarian has two different sets of endings: the definite and the indefinite. The particular form used in a given case depends on the direct object of the verb: as a rule, if the object refers to a definite person or thing, the definite form of the verb is required; and if the object is indefinite, the verb will take the indefinite personal endings. The indefinite personal endings are identical to the endings of an intransitive verb.

From the forms below of the Present Definite of typical regular verbs, it will be seen that the stem of each verb is identical to the third person singular of the Present Indefinite. The definite personal endings are added to the stem in accordance with the type of vowel contained in the stem: back, front unrounded, or front rounded.

(én) | várom | kérem | töröm
(te) | várod | kéred | töröd
(maga)
(ön) | várja
várja | kéri
kéri | töri
töri
(ő) | várja | kéri | töri
(mi) | várjuk | kérjük | törjük
(ti) | várjátok | kéritek | töritek
(maguk)
(önök) | várják
várják | kérik
kérik | törik
törik
(ők) | várják | kérik | törik

Notes on Grammar: Assimilation of -j- in the Present Definite and How to Use the Definite and the Indefinite, 1 of 2

J after s, z and sz

A teherszállító hajók hozzák a gyümölcsöt és a zöldséget a fővárosba. The freighters bring fruit and vegetables into the capital. Hozzák is hoz with the definite ending -ják.

When j follows s, z or sz, it becomes the same sound, and the sound is written double. S and j become ss. Z and j become zz. Sz and j become ssz.

The table puts each stem beside each definite ending and the form they make. The change comes only where the ending begins with j: hozza, olvassa, halássza.

Assimilation of -j- in the Present Definite, 1 of 4

Assimilation of -j- in the Present Definite, 2 of 4

Assimilation of -j- in the Present Definite, 3 of 4

Assimilation of -j- in the Present Definite, 4 of 4

What makes an object definite

Hívom a gyereket. I call the child. Hívok egy gyereket. I call a child. The object decides the form of the verb.

The verb is definite when its object has a or az before it, or is a name: Pétert látom. It is definite with magát, magukat, őt and őket, and with melyiket.

A clause with hogy as the object also takes the definite form. Tudja, hogy hol van a városháza? Do you know where the city hall is? Hogy is sometimes left out.

What makes an object indefinite

The verb is indefinite when the object has egy or no article: Cigarettát kérek. It is indefinite when the object is vague: Embereket látok.

A number or a word of quantity makes the object indefinite: Két pár cipőt veszek. Sok gyümölcsöt eszünk.

Engem and minket refer to definite people, but take the indefinite form: Péter engem kérdez. So do mit, kit, milyent and hányat.

A definite verb carries its own it

Látják? Do you see it? The verb is definite, so it has an object. No pronoun is said. English must say 'it' or 'him', and the context decides which.

The table lists the objects that take each form, the definite in one column and the indefinite in the other.

How to Use the Definite and the Indefinite

  1. 116

    1. The girl is reading the Hungarian book.

  2. 117

    2. The men ask for the lunch.

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    3. I call the child.

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    4. I see Peter.

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    5. They like Hungary very much.

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    6. Peter sees you too.

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    7. The children are looking for them.

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    8. The people ask you.

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    9. Do you see it?

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    10. Which one do you want?

  11. 126

    11. Do you know where the city hall is?

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    1. The girl is reading a Hungarian book.

  13. 128

    2. The men ask for lunch.

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    3. I call a child.

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    4. I see people.

  16. 131

    5. I'm buying two pairs of shoes.

B. Assimilation of -j- in the Present Definite

Note that in words like the following whenever the sibilants s, z, and sz are followed by the sound j, the resulting combination is pronounced and spelled as a double sibilant, that is,

s plus j becomes ss
z plus j becomes zz
sz plus j becomes ssz (the conventional way of writing sz plus sz)

Stem | Present Definite Ending | Present Definite
olvas- | -om | olvasom
olvas- | -od | olvasod
olvas- | -ja | olvassa
olvas- | -juk | olvassuk
olvas- | -játok | olvassátok
olvas- | -ják | olvassák
hoz- | -om | hozom
hoz- | -od | hozod
hoz- | -ja | hozza
hoz- | -juk | hozzuk
hoz- | -játok | hozzátok
hoz- | -ják | hozzák
halász- | -om | halászom
halász- | -od | halászod
halász- | -ja | halássza
halász- | -juk | halásszuk
halász- | -játok | halásszátok
halász- | -ják | halásszák
főz- | -öm | főzöm
főz- | -öd | főzöd
főz- | -i | főzi
főz- | -jük | főzzük
főz- | -itek | főzitek
főz- | -ik | főzik
C. How to Use the Definite and the Indefinite

1. A lány a magyar könyvet olvassa.
2. A férfiak az ebédet kérik.
3. Hívom a gyereket.
4. Pétert látom.
5. Nagyon szeretik Magyarországot.
6. Péter magát is látja.
7. A gyerekek őket keresik.
8. Az emberek magukat kérdezik.
9. Látják? (Do you see it?)
10. Melyiket akarja?
11. Tudja, hogy hol van a városháza?

1. A lány magyar könyvet olvas.
2. A férfiak ebédet kérnek.
3. Hívok egy gyereket.
4. Embereket látok.
5. Két pár cipőt veszek.
6. Egy kis kenyeret ad.
7. Sok gyümölcsöt eszünk.
8. Péter engem kérdez.
9. A gyerekek minket keresnek.
10. Mit akar?
11. Kit lát?
12. Milyent vesz?
13. Hányat kér?

The preceding sentences contain examples of definite verbs (first column) and indefinite verbs (second column). If you will pick out the direct objects in the first column, you will see that those of the first three sentences are identified as definite by the definite article a (az) preceding them. The object of sentence 4 is a proper noun (a definite person), and that of sentence 5 is also a proper noun (name of a definite country). The objects of 6, 7 and 8 are al personal pronouns. Sentence 9 shows by the fact the verb is definite that there is an object of the seeing. There is no separate pronoun used. The English translation must have 'it', 'him' or some other object expressed, which is determined by the context. Sentence 10 in the first column contains an interrogative word that always requires the definite form of the verb. The last sentence contains a subordinate clause used as the object of the verb. Constructions of this type always require the definite form of the verb. In sentences of this type the dependent clause begins with hogy; however this connective is sometimes omitted.

In the second column the first three sentences are identified as indefinite by either an unmodified object or by the indefinte article egy. (You have already seen many cases in previous units where the indefinite article may be omitted.) The vagueness or generality of the object in sentence 4 requires the indefinite form of the verb. Sentences 5, 6 and 7 have objects limited by cardinal numbers or words indicating quantity, all of which the Hungarians consider as indefinite. The first person personal pronoun objects in 8 and 9 require the indefinite form of the verb, even though they refer to specific persons. The final four sentences begin with interrogative words, each of which requires the indefinite form of the verb.

The chart below summarizes the types of direct objects that require the definite form of the verb, and those which require the indefinite:

Definite | Indefinite
Noun preceded by definite article: az állomást | Noun preceded by indefinite article: egy várost
Proper nouns: Pétert, Magyarországot | Noun with no article: Cigarettát kérek.
Personal Pronouns: magát, magukat, őt, őket | Noun preceded by number: Hat ceruzát keresek.
Interrogative: melyiket | Noun preceded by quantity word: Sok pénzt kapok.
Subordinate clause introduced by hogy and used as direct object of main verb. | Personal pronouns: engem, minket (first person)
 | Vagueness of noun: Embereket látok.
 | Interrogatives: mit, kit, milyent, hányat

Notes on Grammar: How to Use the Definite and the Indefinite, 2 of 2

  1. 132

    6. He gives a little bread.

  2. 133

    7. We eat a lot of fruit.

  3. 134

    8. Peter asks me.

  4. 135

    9. The children are looking for us.

  5. 136

    10. What do you want?

  6. 137

    11. Whom do you see?

  7. 138

    12. What kind of one are you buying?

  8. 139

    13. How many do you want?

Notes on Grammar: The Definite Article Before Nouns Used in a General Sense

The before a whole class

Nem a modern képeket szeretem, hanem a régieket. I don't like modern paintings but old ones.

English says 'paintings', with no article, to mean paintings in general. Hungarian, as a rule, puts the definite article before a noun that means a whole class: a képeket.

A teherszállító hajók hozzák a gyümölcsöt és a zöldséget a fővárosba. The freighters bring fruit and vegetables into the capital. With the article the object is definite, so the verb is definite too: hozzák.

  1. 140

    The freighters bring fruit and vegetables into the capital. From here, on the other hand, they carry machines into other cities and villages.

  2. 141

    I don't like modern paintings but old ones.

D. The Definite Article Before Nouns Used in a General Sense

A teherszállító hajók hozzák a gyümölcsöt és a zöldséget a fővárosba. Innen pedig a gépeket viszik más városokba és falukba.  The freighters bring fruit and vegetables into the capital. From here, on the other hand, they carry machines into other cities and villages.
Nem a modern képeket szeretem, hanem a régieket.  I don't like modern paintings but old ones.

The above sentences taken from the dialog of this unit contain several examples of a usage where Hungarian employs the definite article before nouns in a construction where English omits it. In cases like this when a noun is used in a general sense to include all of a class, Hungarian as a rule requires the definite article before the noun.

Notes on Grammar: The Verbal Prefix Meg

Meg completes the action

Megkérdezem a portást. I'll ask the doorman. Meg is also the word for 'and'. Here it is a prefix of the verb.

Meg may change the meaning of a verb. Most often it strengthens the action or shows it as complete, as 'up' does in 'he eats up the food'.

Nem eszi meg a süteményt? Aren't you going to eat your pastry? De igen, megeszem. Why, yes, I'll finish it. Meg can stand apart from its verb and come after it.

  1. 142

    I'll ask the doorman.

  2. 143

    Let's go visit the picture gallery.

  3. 144

    They're lighting the lamps.

  4. 145

    She cooks the dinner in the morning.

  5. 146

    Why don't you ask the doorman?

  6. 147

    Won't you eat the ice cream?

  7. 148

    Why, yes, I'll eat it.

E. The Verbal Prefix Meg

Megkérdezem a portást.  I'll ask the doorman.
Menjünk megnézni a képtárat.  Let's go visit the picture gallery.
Meggyújtják a lámpákat.  They're lighting the lamps.
Délelőtt megfőzi az ebédet.  She cooks the dinner in the morning.
Miért nem kérdezi meg a portást?  Why don't you ask the doorman?
Nem eszi meg a fagylaltot?  Won't you eat the ice cream?
De igen, megeszem.  Why, yes, I'll eat it.

The form meg besides its use as a conjunction ('and') is frequently used as a separable verb prefix. As such it may either modify the basic meaning of a verb or change its meaning completely. Generally it strengthens or emphasizes the action of the verb, or gives to the verb the aspect of completed or inclusive action.

A construction in English that corresponds to Hungarian meg with respect to completeness of action is the word 'up' used with a verb, as in 'he eats up the food'; 'the dog chews up the carpet'; 'the fire burns up the house'.

As indicated above, meg may be separated from its verb, and under certain circumstances comes after it. Meg is only one of many prefixes in Hungarian which behave in this way. An analysis of their position in a sentence will be made in a later unit.

Notes on Grammar: Nem Before a Word Other Than a Verb

Nem before one word

Nem magyar könyvet olvas, hanem angolt. She isn't reading a Hungarian book, but an English one.

Nem usually stands before the verb and makes the sentence negative. Here it stands before magyar and makes only that word negative. Hanem brings in the word set against it: angolt.

Nem egy pár cipőt hozok, hanem kettőt. I'm going to bring not one pair of shoes, but two.

  1. 149

    She isn't reading a Hungarian book, but an English one.

  2. 150

    He doesn't live in Budapest; he lives in Vienna.

  3. 151

    It's not in the kitchen; it's in the dining room.

  4. 152

    I'm going to bring not one pair of shoes, but two.

  5. 153

    I don't want to cash an English check, but an American one.

F. Nem Before a Word Other Than a Verb

Nem magyar könyvet olvas, hanem angolt.  She isn't reading a Hungarian book, but an English one.
Nem Budapesten lakik, Bécsben lakik.  He doesn't live in Budapest; he lives in Vienna.
Nem a konyhában van, az ebédlőben van.  It's not in the kitchen; it's in the dining room.
Nem egy pár cipőt hozok, hanem kettőt.  I'm going to bring not one pair of shoes, but two.
Nem angol csekket akarok beváltani, hanem amerikait.  I don't want to cash an English check, but an American one.

In Unit 1 we learned that to make a sentence negative in Hungarian, nem is placed before the verb. However, in the sentences above, nem does not come immediately before the verb. Each of these examples follows a similar pattern: one word or idea negated and opposed by another. The word negated is preceded by nem. Thus, actually, nem as used in these sentences does not negate the sentence. It emphasizes instead the negation of one element contrasted to or opposed by another.

Substitution Drill

  1. 154

    I call the child.

  2. 155

    I know the girl.

  3. 156

    He reads the Hungarian book.

  1. 157

    She cooks the dinner.

  2. 158

    We draw the child.

  3. 159

    They light the lamps.

  1. 160

    They light the lamps.

  2. 161

    They look for the hat.

  3. 162

    Let's go to the bank first.

  1. 163

    Let's go to the bank first.

  2. 164

    To which bank do you want to go?

  3. 165

    I think there's one next to the city hall.

  4. 166

    The bus stop is just in front of the door.

  1. 167

    The bus stop is just in front of the door.

  2. 168

    It's Saturday today.

  3. 169

    Let's go visit the picture gallery.

  1. 170

    Let's go visit the picture gallery.

  2. 171

    Is the Cathedral also in the fort?

  3. 172

    How many people there are walking on the bank of the Danube!

Variation Drill

  1. 173

    I'll show the thermal baths.

  2. 174

    I'll look at the picture gallery.

  3. 175

    I don't know the city.

  4. 176

    Do you know the city?

  1. 177

    Do you know the city?

  2. 178

    She lights the lamp.

  3. 179

    He's calling the waiter.

  1. 180

    They like the ice cream.

  2. 181

    They light the lamps.

  3. 182

    We're calling the girls.

  4. 183

    We cook the dinner.

  1. 184

    We cook the dinner.

  2. 185

    I'll look at the museum.

  3. 186

    The children like the ice cream.

  4. 187

    Peter visits Eve.

  1. 188

    Peter visits Eve.

  2. 189

    The child sees me; he doesn't see you.

  3. 190

    The gentleman looks for me; he doesn't look for you.

  1. 191

    People aren't looking for him; they're looking for me.

Transformation Drill

  1. 192

    Levelet írok.

    I write a letter.

  2. 193

    Hajót látunk.

    We see a ship.

  1. 194

    Hajót látunk.

    We see a ship.

  2. 195

    Péter levelet ír.

    Peter writes a letter.

  1. 196

    Péter levelet ír.

    Peter writes a letter.

  2. 197

    A fiúk fákat rajzolnak.

    The boys are drawing trees.

  1. 198

    A fiúk fákat rajzolnak.

    The boys are drawing trees.

  2. 199

    János engem (minket) kérdez.

    John asks me (us).

  1. 200

    János engem (minket) kérdez.

    John asks me (us).

  2. 201

    A fiúk engem (minket) hívnak.

    The boys are calling me (us).

  1. 202

    A fiúk engem (minket) hívnak.

    The boys are calling me (us).

  2. 203

    Kit hív Mária?

    Whom is Mary calling?

  3. 204

    Kiket hívnak a fiúk?

    Whom are the boys calling?

  1. 205

    Kiket hívnak a fiúk?

    Whom are the boys calling?

  2. 206

    Kit ismer János?

    Whom does John know?

  3. 207

    Milyen épületet keres?

    What kind of building are you looking for?

  1. 208

    Milyen épületet keres?

    What kind of building are you looking for?

Translation Drill

  1. 209

    Kovács is in Washington.

  2. 210

    He isn't acquainted with the city yet.

  3. 211

    He asks the doorman what's worth seeing in the city.

  4. 212

    The doorman tells him.

  5. 213

    First Kovács goes to a bank and cashes a check.

  6. 214

    Then he starts looking around the city.

  7. 215

    The White House isn't far from there.

  8. 216

    In front of the building to the right is a streetcar stop.

  9. 217

    The White House is in a big park.

  10. 218

    There are many beautiful trees and flowers in the garden.

  11. 219

    The White House is an old building, about 150 years old.

  12. 220

    There's a lot of beautiful old furniture in the house.

  13. 221

    Then Kovács looks at the downtown section.

  1. 222

    Downtown there are beautiful shops and department stores.

  2. 223

    Next to the station is the Capitol.

  3. 224

    The Capitol is a beautiful, big building.

  4. 225

    The National Gallery is also near there, in a modern building.

  5. 226

    There are mainly old paintings in the Gallery, but also many modern pictures.

  6. 227

    In Washington there are many beautiful statues and monuments.

  7. 228

    There are several statues in every park.

  8. 229

    There are three beautiful monuments on the bank of the river: the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial.

  9. 230

    The Potomac is a large river, but it isn't wide in Washington.

  10. 231

    Ships travel on the Potomac, but not big ones.

  11. 232

    It's possible to see many rowboats on the Potomac.

  12. 233

    People can't swim in the Potomac because the water is dirty.

  13. 234

    There are many baths in Washington but there are no thermal baths.

  1. 235

    Kovács also looks at the zoo.

  2. 236

    The zoo is not very far.

  3. 237

    It's in a large park.

  4. 238

    There are many animals in the zoo.

  5. 239

    Many people visit the zoo.

  6. 240

    The people come and go and look at the animals.

  7. 241

    Kovács goes into a restaurant because he's hungry and tired.

  8. 242

    He orders a meal and a glass of beer.

  9. 243

    The waiter brings the beer and dinner.

  10. 244

    Kovács eats the dinner and drinks the beer.

  11. 245

    Then he asks for the check and pays.

  12. 246

    The bus comes, Kovács gets on and goes back downtown.

  13. 247

    The bus stops just in front of the hotel.

  14. 248

    Kovács gets off and goes into the hotel.

Response Drill

  1. 249

    Whom do you see?

  2. 250

    Whom do you ask?

  3. 251

    Whom does the child draw?

  4. 252

    What does the child draw?

  5. 253

    What kind of book are you reading?

  6. 254

    What kind of hat are you buying?

  7. 255

    How many hats are you buying?

  8. 256

    Whom does the woman call?

  9. 257

    Whom does the little boy kiss?

  1. 258

    Whom are you looking for?

  2. 259

    What are you looking for?

  3. 260

    What are you cooking?

  4. 261

    Do you ask me?

  5. 262

    Is he looking at me?

  6. 263

    Is she drawing me?

  7. 264

    Are you looking for me?

  8. 265

    Are the girls looking for us?

  9. 266

    Is the child drawing us?

  1. 267

    Are the gentlemen taking us?

  2. 268

    Are the people asking us?

  3. 269

    Are the people asking you (pl.)?

  4. 270

    Is the girl looking at you?

  5. 271

    Do the girls like you?

  6. 272

    Are the Kovácses visiting you?

  7. 273

    Are the Johnsons bringing them?

  8. 274

    Is the child drawing him?

  9. 275

    Which one do you like?

  1. 276

    Which one does he draw?

  2. 277

    Which one is she looking at?

  3. 278

    Which one are you buying?

  4. 279

    Is Peter looking at you?

  5. 280

    Which one are they drawing?

  6. 281

    What kind are they drawing?

  7. 282

    How many are they drawing?

  8. 283

    How many do you see?

  9. 284

    How many do you like?

  1. 285

    How many are you buying?

  2. 286

    How many glasses of beer are you drinking?

  3. 287

    How many books are you reading?

  4. 288

    Where's the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest?

  5. 289

    Where's the Museum of Fine Arts in Washington?

  6. 290

    Where's the Fishermen's Bastion?

  7. 291

    Where's the Cathedral? Is it in Buda or Pest?

  8. 292

    What is there in the fort?

  9. 293

    How many museums are there in Washington?

  1. 294

    Are there mountains in Hungary?

  2. 295

    Are there big mountains in the United States?

  3. 296

    Are there big rivers in the United States?

  4. 297

    Are there streetcars in Washington?

  5. 298

    Are there many busses in New York?

Conversation Practice 1

  1. 299

    Where are you going today?

  2. 300

    To the Hungarian National Bank.

  3. 301

    What branch office do you want to go to?

  4. 302

    As far as I know, there's one next to the city hall. It's near.

  5. 303

    Do you know where the city hall is?

  6. 304

    I don't know exactly, but I'll ask the doorman.

  7. 305

    Why are you going to the bank?

  8. 306

    I want to cash a check.

  9. 307

    What are you doing later (afterwards)?

  10. 308

    Afterwards I'm meeting John, and we'll look at the city.

Conversation Practice 2

  1. 309

    What day is it today?

  2. 310

    Today is Thursday.

  3. 311

    Where are you going after the bank?

  4. 312

    I'm going for a walk. I'd like to see the Museum of Fine Arts.

  5. 313

    What kind of paintings do you like? The modern ones?

  6. 314

    I like the modern ones and the old ones too.

  7. 315

    What else do you want to see in Budapest?

  8. 316

    I want to see the Fort too.

  9. 317

    Are you going to see the Cathedral too?

  10. 318

    Yes, I think that's worth seeing too.

Conversation Practice 3

  1. 319

    Many ships are sailing on the Danube!

  2. 320

    Yes, freighters and passenger ships.

  3. 321

    What do the freighters transport?

  4. 322

    They mainly bring fruit and vegetables into the capital.

  5. 323

    And what do they take from here?

  6. 324

    From here they transport machines and furniture.

  7. 325

    Is it possible to swim in the Danube?

  8. 326

    Perhaps, but the water is very cold.

  9. 327

    Are there baths in Budapest?

  10. 328

    Yes, mainly thermal baths. Many sick people go there.

  11. 329

    Do you want to take a little walk on the bank of the Danube?

  12. 330

    Gladly, I'll just finish my coffee.

Conversation Practice 4

  1. 331

    Do you know Washington?

  2. 332

    Not very well. What's worth seeing in Washington?

  3. 333

    Lots of things. The White House is very interesting.

  4. 334

    Is the White House an old building?

  5. 335

    Fairly old. About 150 years old.

  6. 336

    Is the Capitol near?

  7. 337

    It's fairly far. It's next to the station.

  8. 338

    What's the National Gallery like?

  9. 339

    Big and modern. There are many beautiful old and modern paintings there.

  10. 340

    Then I'll see that too.

Narrative

  1. 341

    On Saturday morning Johnson and his wife go to the city.

  2. 342

    Johnson first wants to go to a bank, because he wants to cash a check.

  3. 343

    He asks the doorman where a branch office is.

  4. 344

    The doorman says that there's one next to the city hall, but the Hungarian National Bank is next to the American Legation.

  5. 345

    They go to the city by streetcar.

  6. 346

    The streetcar stop is just in front of the door.

  7. 347

    The driver tells them where to get off.

  8. 348

    After the bank they meet John Nagy, and they go with him to look at the city.

  9. 349

    First they look at the Museum of Fine Arts.

  10. 350

    The museum is in the City Park.

  11. 351

    The famous Stalin monument used to be near there too.

  12. 352

    Johnson doesn't know the city yet.

  13. 353

    After the museum they go to the Fort.

  14. 354

    The Fort is in Buda.

  15. 355

    There they look at the famous Matthias Church and the Fishermen's Bastion.

  16. 356

    Many people walk there, because the view is beautiful.

  17. 357

    The Cathedral and the Parliament can be seen from there too.

  18. 358

    There are many beautiful old and new buildings in Budapest.

  1. 359

    Late in the afternoon the Johnsons walk on the bank of the Danube and look at the ships.

  2. 360

    Many passenger ships and freighters sail on the Danube.

  3. 361

    Excursion boats come and go too.

  4. 362

    One can swim in the Danube only in summer, because the water is cold.

  5. 363

    But there are many baths in Budapest, mainly thermal baths.

  6. 364

    Sick people go to the thermal baths.

  7. 365

    It's evening.

  8. 366

    On the bank of the Danube the lamps are already on.

  9. 367

    The city is very beautiful in the evening.

  10. 368

    The women call the children and take them home.

  11. 369

    The Johnsons go home too.

The particulars

The course
Foreign Service Institute, Hungarian Basic Course, Washington, 1962. Public domain. The teaching pages, the glosses and the narration of lines the tape lacks are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Gulliver’s Fifth and Sixth Voyages, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.