Swearing in Hungarian
Hungarian language demonstrates its greatest diversity when it is used for swearing. English is limited to the usage of four letter words when something bad happens. Hungarian employs complex, grammatically correct curses with imperative in these situations. It is possible to swear continuously in Hungarian for 30 seconds without repeating any word.
Warning! Explicit content follows! Only click the link under if you are over 18, and tolerate the use of bad words for academic purposes!
Here is a short introduction to swearing in Hungarian.
Compare:
English: Shit!
with
Hungarian: Kurva Isten bassza meg!
or
Hungarian: Kurva Isten faszát!
or
Hungarian: Kurva Isten bassza anyád!
Let’s analyze the Hungarian sentences above. They are all common swearings, and good examples, as they include words from the various categories found in Hungarian swearing:
Adjective (kurva). Kurva literally means whore and can be used as an adjective. Kurva also means negative “very”: kurva szar - effin shit. Nowadays it is even used as a positive “very”: kurva jó - effin good.
Hungarian is flexible in using adjectives so you can invent anything you like. So fingszopó (fartsucker) is not an “official” term, but many people will appreciate your innovation.
God (Isten). Often used in swear words.
Sexual activities (Bassza meg). Imperative to have a sexual intercourse. For intercourse, you can use about 20 or so synonymous words. You can also refer to fellatio or anal intercourse.
Genitals (fasz, or in this sense in genitiv: fasza). Sexual organs, both male and female, are also widely used in Hungarian swearing. Mouth (száj) and ass / arse (picsa) are also considered sexual organs in this sense. Ass is sometimes both used as butt and pussy.
Family members. (anyád) You may also add any given member of someone’s family to your swearing. Mother (anyád: your mother) is by far the strongest, aunt is probably the weakest.
Now try to translate the three sentences and be shocked.
The older generation refrains from using explicit words and instead uses mythical and poetic words such as “fűzfánfütyülő rézangyalát” - the copper angel whistling on a willow tree, “réz faszú bagoly”- owl with a copper-dick or “ördög karikás farka” -the Devil’s bullwhip tail.
!!!Note that the sentences quoted in Hungarian are very, very rude. Still, you could hear any lorry driver saying them, cursing at situations or things. The first two sentences are neutral in a sense that they do not have an explicit object. The third sentence has, so when it is said face-to-face, it is a call to fight.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:32 am
Dear admin,
I feel sorry for you, your posts are simply pathetic, just as you are. I only read two of your posts I must admit (this and the one about the public transport), but I must say, you are simply showing the worst examples, suggesting that every days, every people are like that. Congratulations for that picture at the other BKV post, it must be like 40 years old. So I guess, we, here in Hungary are still living in the 30’s, and every time I wanna see a TV (just for example), I have to visit a .co.uk site, and I still dont understand, how can people be in that small box. As for swearing, yes our language is tasty and much more rich than english (not just when swearing), but yet again comparing “shit” with those examples you mentioned is a lie yet again. If you are “Budapesters”, and calling this thing “Bp blog for real”, then try to show the better part as well. Or if you hate living here so much, then just leave.
regards
Balázs
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
Dear Balage,
I’d like to point out a few things:
1. you should now be working, not cheking cool websites. What is this country turning to be if everybody reads posts instead of working? Besides, who will pay the the taxes that support BKV so the cool people can ride free?
2. The picture rocks.
3. Good appetite with the Hungarian language! At which point does it come into the goulash?
4. Riding free and swearing are a goods part of the city, aren’t they?
5. Writing Balage for Balázs… No comment on that.
Regards,
a
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:26 am
Dear a,
At least you didn’t delete my comment, thats a big +. To answer your thoughts:
1. same to you, but whatever I do is simply not your business. Why do you think that you can tell me what to do? Oh and I’m paying for them no worries, unlike the most, I’m getting my salary fully “white”.
2. yea it rocks. on a historical or BKV-history exhibition. Using it together with your post is simply suggestive in the lying way.
3. just wondering, what is your mother tongue? But even if english is a “poor” language, they dont just stop at “shit” or “oh God”. This post of yours is entirely pointless.
4. no they aren’t. And if you live here, you probably know our history, and why many have this mentality (referring to communism, etc). I don’t think we are better or worse than anyone else, but you are trying to prove one side.
5. Oh Mr ‘a’. Is Mr ‘b’ around?
regards
Balázs
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Dear noname Admin,
Hmm…no comment..sometimes i really don’t know, why do people living in Hungary, if they have this kind of mentality!?
If u are a real Budapester..in my opinion must know, that …for example our history is older then 1 thousand years, some of our monuments and building are on the list of ‘The World’s 1000 mystery’…ect.
So..let me know..why did u started, this site? If u don’t like to live here..u have the chance to move to Africa:))) Maybe you are so egoist, that u have never tought on: how will others feel themselves after reading your salty comments:)
Good point that u started to study Hungarian…in a bad way:((( About u: maybe you are a 20 years old foreigner undergraduate, who came here because the cost of living and studying is cheaper:))So let’s assimilate and learn to know cultures in the right way!!! I promise u ill not say ‘your country is shit’…i will keep it for myself, if i will think on it:)))
Sorry for my bad English..i just started to know English culture and mentality…
Hugs,
Lilly
June 11th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Admin. From an american perspective your wrong. I didnt live there that long. A little over 4 months, but it was long enough to know that all you do is find the negative of a place. Are you homesick? Go home with that shit man, why are you bashing a beautiful up and coming nation. Like everywhere, they have faults, America has more faults than anyone I would say in the grand scheme of things, but I love my country and I love Hungary. You can easily afford to pay for the ticket, it is cheap and it will help their economy. Try treating them right, and maybe they will do the same to you.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Wo-haaaa, Kels! From any perspective: you can’t spell!!!
you’re and your are two different things!
July 9th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I am an American who lived for 4 years in Hungary. My former father-in-law was a master of cursing and taught me everything I knew. I remember the first time I heard him use the phrase “az Isten budos fasza.” I knew the words separately, but had never heard them together. When I figured it out, I said to my father-in-law, “dehogy tudod te hogy az Istennek nincs budos pinaja?” He was shocked, then amused.
By the way, my dog is named Koppany, and my cat Arpad.
August 19th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Balage is an idiot, this guy is really funny. I fell from my chair laughuing reading his stuff. I lived in Budapest 2002-2004, and the thnigs he says are true in a way.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I live in BP, and i dont feel these posts offensive.
It is one-sided, because the ppl usually know the “good” things about hungary, but hungary is just “good things” glued together with goulasch and Puskás. Hungary definitely has its own weird ways in public transport, curses, taxies, etc., that are not written in your general tourist book, but these do exist.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
hungary is just -> hungary isn’t just
November 9th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Admin. You’re a homeless dickhead.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Intresting comments and a little disturbing to say the least. To think that cheating and vulgarity are thought of by some as the superlative traits of a proud and honourable nation. I am of Magyar decent and came across this site in research initially in planning a visit to Budapest, as I intended using public transport as my primary means to get around the city. I must admit I would feel a little worried if (civilian dressed) an official approached myself and accused me of not paying for transport, I certainly would be suspitious and seekpolice advice before handing over any money. I am probably correct in assuming that this practice is carried out by the under 30s generation which sadly is also the case in many cities throughout the world, 3rd world or no. I feel that admins command of the two languges falls short by a yard or two, in his comparisons. It is true the Magyar languages uses colourful adjectives but so do many other languages including English eg “God dam you fucking cunt”
uses all if not most of the elements illustrated above in his analysis, QED does it make any difference in which language you blastphem.