How to Learn Hungarian Fast
- 1). Go to your local public library. Tell the librarian that you want to learn Hungarian. If your library doesn't have Hungarian language books or CDs, the staff can contact another library and borrow materials on your behalf. Some public libraries subscribe to online language courses such as Byki (Before You Know It), a web-based system of online flashcards that you can use on your own computer. Of course, you will need a library card for any of these services, so sign up for one while you're there. It's available for free.
- 2). Listen to the radio. Local radio stations from Budapest to Debrecen to Pecs stream programs live on the Internet. Whether your taste is hip hop, folk music, news or religious programs you'll find a radio station on the Listen Live and Maygar Radio websites. While you might not understand very much at first, but keep listening and you'll learn through repetition.
- 3). Read a Hungarian newspaper or magazine. You don't need to know anything about Hungarian politics or culture because Hungarian newspapers and magazines also cover world and American news on topics from entertainment to technology. For example, in June 2011 the online newspaper "Delmaygar" featured an interview with Mark Zuckeberg, a biography of Lady Gaga, movie reviews and a critique of the Ford Focus. Nok Lapja Cafe, a lifestyle magazine, profiled First Lady Michelle Obama and singer Adele.
- 4). Translate English words into Hungarian. By translating common English words you're already familiar with, you'll learn Hungarian by association. The online English-Hungarian dictionary published by MTA SZTAKI, The Computer and Automation Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences allows you to type in English words which it translates into Hungarian; it also suggests related words and phrases. For example, while you wait in line for your morning caffeine fix, type the word "coffee" and you'll see the Hungarian word for coffee, coffee pot and coffee mug, as well as the phrase "I could do with a cup of coffee."