To learn Hungarian, learn its sounds and put the weight on the first syllable, then pick up its endings from stories you can follow. About 12 million people speak Hungarian as their first language (2021–2023), and its alphabet has 44 letters, because letter pairs such as sz and gy each count as one letter.

How to Learn Hungarian, Step by Step

Steps 1 to 3 get your ear ready. Steps 4 to 6 carry you from there.

Read Letter Pairs as One SoundPairs like ny, sz, cs and zs each make a single sound. Nyelv (language) starts with ny.
Hear Long and Short VowelsAn accent mark makes a vowel long, which can change the word. Szel means “to slice,” and szél means “wind.”
Stress the First SyllableHungarian stresses the first syllable, even in a long word like Magyarország (Hungary).
Let Vowel Harmony Pick the EndingMost endings come in a back-vowel form and a front-vowel form, so “to the city” is városnak and “to joy” is örömnek.
Read Endings as Part of the WordWhere English puts a small word like “on” in front, Hungarian adds an ending, so asztal (table) becomes asztalon (on the table).
Start Talking EarlyOnce you can ask Hogy vagy? (How are you?), book a tutor or a partner, and have them fix your endings.

To hear a word, open it on Wiktionary, as with szél. Cooljugator shows every form of a verb, and Plain Hungarian has short stories for learners, mostly at A1 and A2. For speaking, italki lists Hungarian tutors. The best way to learn Hungarian compares study methods for different goals, and the easiest way to learn Hungarian explains which parts of Hungarian take practice.

Find Where You Are

Bubblegum is a language app with Hungarian lessons, each with audio and a translation of every line. Poppy, your AI tutor, writes them for six levels. Find the sentence that sounds like you, and start there.

Level 1
I'm just starting out or know only a few words.
Play the dialogue, and say each word back with the weight on its first syllable.
A Level 1 lesson about ordering tea and a sandwich
Level 2
I can handle simple exchanges.
Read the 24 Hungarian Duostories, and say each new ending out loud with its word.
Level 3
I follow conversations on familiar topics.
Play a Plain Hungarian story twice, and the second time, write down every ending you hear.
Level 4
I understand most content but miss some nuance.
Listen to Hungarian With Dori, and write down two endings from each episode that you'd like to use.
Level 5
I read complex topics but rare words slow me down.
Read the news on Index.hu, and keep a note of the endings that are new to you.
Level 6
I can read almost anything.
Read a Hungarian novel, and look up verb forms you don't know on Cooljugator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Learn Hungarian?

Hungarian takes about 1,012 class hours at the U.S. Foreign Service Institute, roughly 44 weeks of full-time study for its English-speaking students. The guide to learning Hungarian fast shows how to plan your own hours.

How Many Cases Does Hungarian Have?

Hungarian grammars count 18 case endings. Many have two forms, like -ban and -ben (in), so learn the ones stories use most and check a grammar page when a new one appears.

Which Hungarian App Should a Beginner Choose?

If you are serious about learning Hungarian, start with Bubblegum. Poppy writes lessons at your level about things you like. The Hungarian app comparison covers courses and tutor sites too.

Is Bubblegum Free?

Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.

How to Learn Hungarian, Step by Step