Adjectives

1. Nagy

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives do not inflect before a noun; only as a predicate do they take the plural, e.g. nagyok.

2. Kicsi

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

3. Nehéz

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

4. Könnyű

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   "Könnyű" covers both light in weight and easy. Light as in bright is "világos".

5. Drága

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

6. Olcsó

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

7. Forró

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "forró" is hot to the touch; hot weather is "Meleg van".

8. Hideg

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

9. Új

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

10. Régi

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Use "régi" for things and "idős" for people; régi is never used of a person.

11. Fiatal

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

12. Idős

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

13. Tiszta

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

14. Piszkos

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

15. Jó

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

16. Rossz

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

17. Közeli

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

18. Távoli

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

19. Korai

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    "korai" is early in time; fast in speed is "gyors".

20. Kései

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    "kései" is late in time; slow in speed is "lassú".

21. Sok

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

22. Kevés

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

23. Meleg van

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather is the impersonal "Meleg van". Hot food is "forró".

24. Hideg van

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather is "Hideg van"; a cold object just takes the adjective "hideg".

25. Aranyos

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

26. Menő

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

    Grammar Note

    A colloquial word

27. Finom

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

28. Elképesztő

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

29. Szórakoztató

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

30. Több

    More

    Usage

    Ask for a larger amount; it is the comparative of "sok" (much/many). "One more" is "még egyet"

31. Csak egy kicsit

    Just a little

    Usage

    Show this to keep a portion or a top-up small; "csak" (only) is what caps the amount

32. Fél

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half a portion. The same spelling is also the verb "he/she fears" and the noun "party" in a contract, so point at the food or quantity. A half portion is "fél adag"

33. Az összes

    All of it

    Usage

    Means the whole lot — e.g. buying everything on a market stall; "mind" carries the same sense

34. Elég

    Enough

    Usage

    Show this to stop someone pouring or serving more; "elég lesz" (that will do) is also common. The same spelling is also a verb meaning "burns up", but at a table it reads as "enough"

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