Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the perfect proverb could have hit hard like a meteor and left everybody speechless? We’ve all been there. But at HungarianPod101.com, we know that the words don’t always roll off the tongue so easily—especially when you’re trying to speak a foreign language!
In this article, we’re going to cover thirty of the most common Hungarian proverbs and idioms. We’ve divided them into three categories, so you’ll find proverbs and idioms on life, love, and even money. These are phrases you’ll hear often while in Hungary, so memorizing them and learning how to use them will really help your language skills shine in any situation.
- → For even more great phrases to practice, we recommend checking out our free vocabulary list of Essential Idioms That Will Make You Sound Like a Native Speaker!
And remember: As you learn these Hungarian sayings, you’re never alone! You can always reach out to us or your fellow Hungarian language learners for help or motivation. We’re all in this together.
Now, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- Hungarian Proverbs About Life
- Hungarian Proverbs About Love
- Hungarian Proverbs About Money
- How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Achieve Your Language Goals
1. Hungarian Proverbs About Life
Hungarian proverbs about life convey wisdom about how to live well. Learning these proverbs can help you gain a better understanding of how Hungarians view life in general, and provide you with more insight into the Hungarian culture.
Below, you’ll find ten Hungarian proverbs about life. For each one, we’ve included an English translation and information about what it means and how to use it.
1. A nagy hal megeszi a kishalat.
- Literal Translation: Big fish eat the small fish.
- English Equivalent: Men are like fish; great ones devour the small.
Meaning:
Small organizations and insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful.
Usage:
This proverb would be perfect if you wanted to warn someone that, if they’re not strong enough (figuratively speaking), they’ll be trodden over by others. You know… “Eat or be eaten.”
2. A hazug embert hamarabb utolérik, mint a sánta kutyát.
- Literal Translation: They catch the man who lies sooner than the limping dog.
- English Equivalent: A lie has short legs.
Meaning:
Your lies will come to light sooner than you think.
Usage:
You might use this proverb, for example, in a shady situation where you suspect that the other party is lying. It would put a bit of pressure on them.
- → While you’re here, see our lesson on the Hungarian slang term for the act of lying!
3. Az idő minden sebet begyógyít.
- Literal Translation: Time heals all wounds.
Meaning:
You just have to be patient, and all sorrow and sadness will go away in time.
Usage:
You could use this sentence, for instance, if one of your friends was trying to get over a breakup.
4. Ki mint vet, úgy arat.
- Literal Translation: He who sows reaps.
- English Equivalent: As you sow, so shall you reap.
Meaning:
The way you behave in life will determine the treatment you receive from others.
Usage:
Imagine one of your friends did somebody wrong, and then something bad happened to them as well. You could then mention this proverb to them as a sort of life lesson. Because as we all know…what goes around, comes around.
5. Aki mer, az nyer.
- Literal Translation: He who dares, wins.
Meaning:
If you do not try—or dare—you’ll never succeed, because you did not give yourself the chance to do so in the first place.
Usage:
You could use this proverb to encourage somebody who needs that little extra push to take a leap that might result in something great.
6. Aki nem dolgozik, ne is egyék!
- Literal Translation: Those who do not work should not eat.
- English Equivalent: He who does not work, shall not eat either.
Meaning:
You have to work for the prize. If you didn’t do anything to earn it, you don’t deserve it.
Usage:
This one is very simple. It’s quite popular among Hungarian mothers, who say this to their children when they haven’t done their chores—or anything at all, to be fair—but still come down to have lunch as though they “deserve it.” But it’s only said as a joke, of course.
7. Ha nincs ló, jó a szamár is.
- Literal Translation: If there is no horse, a donkey will do as well.
Meaning:
This proverb refers to a situation where you know that something better exists, but you decide to settle for what you have even if it’s not as good.
Usage:
This might be a good Hungarian proverb to insert in a light, teasing friend-to-friend conversation when your pal goes to prom with someone they don’t fancy that much because their real crush did not invite them.
8. Ki tudja, mit hoz a holnap.
- Literal Translation: Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Meaning:
You never know what opportunities you’ll have in the future, so you must always keep hoping for a better day. You cannot give up.
Usage:
Here’s another encouraging Hungarian proverb. You could use this phrase to give somebody a pinch of hope when they’re ready to give up on something, just because things haven’t worked out so far.
9. A cél szentesíti az eszközt.
- Literal Translation: The purpose consecrates the means.
- English Equivalent: The ends justify the means.
Meaning:
If your purpose is something noble or important, you’re allowed to reach it in any way, using any means.
Usage:
Imagine you’re about to do something morally questionable, like telling your sibling that the new ice-cream doesn’t taste that good, just so you have more left for you. Repeating this Hungarian proverb in your head like a mantra might give you a little bit more courage…and ice-cream. It would be a way of telling yourself that ice-cream is very important, so telling lies is “okay” in that situation.
10. Ne igyál előre a medve bőrére!
- Literal Translation: Don’t drink on the bear’s skin in advance.
- English Equivalent: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Meaning:
Don’t celebrate something good too soon, because it might not turn out the way you think it will.
Usage:
The night before your state exam, you meet up with your friends and they raise their glasses to you, the “newly-grad genius.” You must tell them not to drink on the bear’s skin in advance, because you haven’t graduated yet and nothing is for sure.
2. Hungarian Proverbs About Love
Hungarian proverbs about love are just as abundant and necessary as those about life. Using the right proverb at the right time can get you some bonus points in your relationship or help you better express your love. Below are the most common proverbs in Hungarian about love, each one relatable and full of wisdom.
Remember that you can find even more love-related words and phrases on our list of Hungarian Quotes About Love and in our lesson on Three Ways to Say “I Love You” in Hungarian!
11. A szerelem vak.
- Literal Translation: Love is blind.
Meaning:
You cannot think clearly and rationally when you’re in love.
Usage:
This is a great phrase you can use to console a friend while they’re going through a hard time in their relationship.
12. Az ellentétek vonzzák egymást.
- Literal Translation: Opposites attract each other.
Meaning:
This one is straightforward. People who are utterly different in character often complete each other, like Yin and Yang. Differences give a relationship extra life and spice. If you always agree on everything, chances are you’ll become bored with the relationship over time.
Usage:
You may hear this proverb used when someone is trying to understand how two completely different people could be in a relationship with each other.
13. Soha szerelem sóhajtás nélkül édes nem lehet.
- Literal Translation: Love without sighs can never be sweet.
Meaning:
Love that is without hardships cannot last, as it would be rather boring that way. Also, going through hardships together is the test of true love; if you can weather the storms, your love is likely to last.
Usage:
If your friend is having their usual rant about their significant other, you can comfort them with this easy Hungarian proverb. Help them remember that a little rain is needed to see the rainbow.
14. A szerelemben több a keserű, mint az édes.
- Literal Translation: In love, there’s more bitterness than sweetness.
Meaning:
This one basically means that you have to work for someone’s love to make a relationship last. It doesn’t come easy, and it’s not always pleasant.
Usage:
Searching for the perfect Hungarian proverb to cheer up a friend who’s just had an argument with their love? This is the one. Just tell them it’s normal and that it will get better.
15. Hideg kéz, meleg szív.
- Literal Translation: Cold hand, warm heart.
Meaning:
If someone is strict with you, it usually means they just want the best for you.
Usage:
The funny thing is, this proverb is mostly used in a way unrelated to its real meaning. Hungarians say this when a person’s hand is literally, physically cold. So, if you touch someone’s hand and it’s like an icicle, saying this phrase is a nice way to warm their heart.
16. Nincsen rózsa tövis nélkül.
- Literal Translation: There is no rose without thorns.
Meaning:
Nothing and nobody is perfect.
Usage:
If you’re having a tough conversation with a friend or significant other, just recall this Hungarian proverb.
17. A szerelem a bölcset is vakká teszi.
- Literal Translation: Love makes even the wise blind.
Meaning:
Love can fool anyone (even the smartest of people), making them irrational.
Usage:
You can use this proverb if one of your friends—who you thought was the wisest and smartest person you knew—fell in love hard and blind.
18. Kenyér és bor nélkül meghűl a szerelem.
- Literal Translation: Without bread and wine, love gets cold.
Meaning:
Love needs to be cherished and the fire kept alive, otherwise two people will fall out of love.
Usage:
If you know a couple that’s been together for a looong time, this might be a great, eye-opening piece of advice for them.
- → Need to keep your own romance alive? Check out our list of 15 Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day and the Top 15 Compliments You Always Want to Hear!
19. A harag és a szerelem a legrosszabb tanácsadók.
- Literal Translation: Anger and love are the worst advisors.
Meaning:
When you’re angry or in love, you cannot think straight. It’s better to act only once you’ve calmed yourself down and cleared your thoughts.
Usage:
If a friend is trying to make a major decision while they’re either angry or blindly in love, you may want to use this Hungarian proverb to open their eyes and encourage caution.
20. Álomban és szerelemben nincs lehetetlenség.
- Literal Translation: In a dream and love, nothing is impossible.
Meaning:
Love can defeat anything and makes everything possible.
Usage:
You can encourage anybody with this saying. If they have a big dream they want to make reality or have a relationship issue that needs to be resolved, you can empower them by emphasizing that nothing is impossible if they set their mind to it.
3. Hungarian Proverbs About Money
Because Hungarians value and cherish their money quite a lot, there are plenty of Hungarian proverbs about money for you to learn. Below, we’ve listed the ten most common ones.
- → Want more? Here are the best Money-Related Expressions for Everyday Life!
21. Sok kicsi sokra megy.
- Literal Translation: Lots of ‘small’ adds up to one ‘big.’
Meaning:
Here’s a prime example of that money-cherishing trait we mentioned. This proverb teaches that we should not be greedy; if we’re patient, great things will come to us eventually. It’s just a matter of enough small things accumulating to become something better.
Usage:
Imagine your child or nephew/niece finds a few coins inside the couch. You could help them value that little bit of money by saying this proverb to them, convincing them that if they cherish the small amount they gained it will be rewarding in the future.
22. Az idő pénz.
- Literal Translation: Time is money.
Meaning:
Time is the only thing that we cannot get more of; it only lessens, so we must not waste it.
Usage:
If somebody is wasting your time, this proverb is a great (though maybe a bit harsh) way to let them know.
23. Pénz beszél, kutya ugat.
- Literal Translation: Money talks, dog barks.
Meaning:
With money, everything is possible.
Usage:
We hope you’ll never use this Hungarian proverb in such a context, but it’s a perfect way to introduce a bribe and let someone know you’re about to pay them off.
24. Ki korán kel, aranyat lel.
- Literal Translation: The early bird catches the worm.
Meaning:
Those who are vigilant and ready to jump at opportunities are the ones who succeed.
Usage:
If you struggle to wake up early in the morning, going to bed with this thought in mind might help you wake up easier the next morning.
25. Nem mind arany, ami fénylik.
- Literal Translation: Not all that glitters is gold.
Meaning:
You shouldn’t be fooled by superficial things, because they might not be as good as they appear to be.
Usage:
If someone you know is about to jump at an opportunity that seems too good to be true, you can offer them friendly advice using this proverb. It will encourage them to think twice before taking that thing at face value.
26. Ismerik, mint a rossz pénzt.
- Literal Translation: He is well-known like bad money.
Meaning:
This phrase is used to describe someone who is so infamous that their true character is common knowledge.
Usage:
If someone close to you is starting to become associated with someone you know is not a good person, you can use this phrase to let them know.
27. A pénz nem a fán nő.
- Literal Translation: Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Meaning:
You shouldn’t spend your money recklessly.
Usage:
Hungarian children often hear this phrase after begging their parents for something at the toy store!
28. Az becsüli a pénzt, kinek körme kopik utána.
- Literal Translation: Those who appreciate money broke their nails for it.
Meaning:
You can only truly appreciate money if you worked hard for every penny.
Usage:
Next time you encounter an arrogant person who won’t get off their high horse because of their easily-come money, you could use this Hungarian proverb to put them back in their place.
29. Annyi pénze van, mint békán a szőr.
- Literal Translation: He has as much money as a frog has hair.
Meaning:
Somebody is broke.
Usage:
If you want to joke about your financial state (because what’s healthier than a little self-deprecation?), you could say this Hungarian proverb to describe your situation to your friends.
30. Kinek nincsen pénze, ne menjen piacra!
- Literal Translation: He who hasn’t money, shouldn’t go to the market.
Meaning:
Those who are not qualified to do something, shouldn’t do it.
Usage:
In addition to its obvious correlation with actual money and markets, this proverb can also refer to any situation where someone is unqualified to do something. For example, you could use this phrase at work when somebody tries to perform a task they weren’t trained for and messed it up.
4. How HungarianPod101.com Helps You Achieve Your Language Goals
Now that you know quite a few old Hungarian proverbs and idioms, you’re well-equipped to handle a variety of situations—and impress native speakers at the same time! Which of these Hungarian sayings is your favorite, and why?
We hope you enjoyed this article, and that you’ll continue to explore the HungarianPod101.com website for more great content. Here, you’ll find so many fun and effective learning materials to help you reach your goals. To give you just a sample:
- Vocabulary lists
- Hungarian dictionary
- Audio and video lessons
You can also visit the HungarianPod101 YouTube channel to watch educational videos by our fun and energetic hosts. We regularly post new videos, so there’s always something to watch!
Know that you’re never alone on your language learning journey. You can always reach out to us or your fellow language learners for assistance or encouragement.
Happy learning!
