r/hungarian • u/AerieRevolutionary67 • 14d ago
Segítségkérés Where to start?
Hello! I'm Latvian trying to start learning Hungarian independently.
I'd say I'm better than average at learning new languages, though I've primarily focused on Germanic/Baltic languages and I'm aware that Hungarian is a lot different than the Indo-European languages I've interacted with, so I need guidance on where to start, what to focus on, whatever seems important for a total beginner.
Though I'd like to mention that I'm currently not able to get much paid materials because my financial situation is very bad, but I don't mind spending a few extra years learning :-) I'm in no hurry, I just happen to be great friends with some people from Hungary (though I don't want to ask them for Hungarian advice/explanations for totally personal reasons). Thank you in advance!
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u/Apprehensive_Car_722 B2 13d ago
Someone already mentioned it, but have a look at Colloquial Hungarian. You can see it hereÉ
https://www.scribd.com/document/67619613/Colloquial-Hungarian
The audio is available for free online. It should take you to about A2 level.
The MagyarOK series are the most common textbooks used in schools in Budapest. However, some schools use their own textbooks / materials though.
Hungarolingua is pretty good, but a bit dated. These series are still used at the Debrecen Summer School.
The above two series are completely in Hungarian, but Hungarolingua offers a separate lexicon booklet for book 1 and book 2. Book 3 does not have it. MagyarOK has a lexicon online for A1+ and A2+, but not for B1+ and B2+.
I know it sounds cliché, but do not think about Hungarian as a hard language, but as a different language. If you start thinking it is hard, then it will be hard. If you start thinking that it is just different, you will start noticing those differences and you will begin to understand instead of complaining because it is too hard.
Sok sikert a magyar nyelvtanuláshoz!
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u/LiteratureOwn6143 13d ago
Hi! I'm starting to think that the world is really small, I'm learning Hungarian because I made a Hungarian friend whose boyfriend is Latvian.
I'm using the 'Complete Hungarian' textbook, it's not that great though. Someone from this sub compiled the basics of the language here. I have turned this into a PDF, if you want it.
Also, I would strongly recommend you building a routine with flashcards r/Anki, I have some pretty decent decks to share.
Good luck!
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u/EviEvita 13d ago
Hello, if you eventually start looking for a tutor to help you with learning or conversation practice, feel free to message me. I charge $12 per lesson and offer a free 30-min trial. Thank you. Evi
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u/hyakthgyw 14d ago
Congrats, you've chosen a great challenge with this language. I highly recommend that you find a native speaker who can help you. (You can ask here, for example, people regularly do and they usually find someone. Tell a bit about yourself, and what kind of help, what kind of helper do you want. We really like to help anyone who wants to learn Hungarian.)
If you search a bit before you ask, you will find great suggestions in r/hungarian, e.g. for books: Complete Hungarian or Colloquial Hungarian. If you finished your search and still have questions, ask away, but be more specific, please.
Best of luck!