Ways to say it
| Hungarian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| egészségedre | [ˈɛɡeːʃːeːɡɛdrɛ] (narrow) | informal |
| egészségére | [ˈɛɡeːʃːeːɡeːrɛ] (narrow) | formal |
In Hungarian, the phrase used when someone sneezes is also used when making a toast (cheers).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is derived from egészség, which means "health". The form egészségedre literally means "to your health".
Which one should you use?
egészségedre is the informal form, while egészségére is the formal version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use egészségedre when speaking to friends, family or children. Use egészségére when speaking to elders, strangers or in formal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Transylvania region, the phrase Isten éltesse! is used, meaning "God keep you alive!"
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating "God bless you" literally as Isten áldjon. This is not the standard response to a sneeze in Hungarian.
When do people say it?
A formal way to express the sentiment "Be blessed!" is Áldott legyen!
Did you know?
- In Hungary, if you are the one who sneezed, it is considered polite to respond to egészségedre with köszönöm, meaning 'thank you'.
- The formal version egészségére can be ambiguous because the suffix -e can mean 'your' (formal) or it can mean 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
- The suffix -re in egészségedre functions like a tiny arrow, directing the concept of 'health' toward the person you are addressing.
Examples in context
- Egészségedre!Bless you!
- Egészségedre, kedves barátom!Bless you, my dear friend!
Example conversation
Zoltán and Anna are sitting in a living room.
- ZoltánHapcsi!Achoo!
- AnnaEgészségedre, Zoltán!Bless you, Zoltán!
- ZoltánKöszönöm szépen, Anna.Thank you very much, Anna.
- AnnaNincsproba.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God bless you” translations and entries egészségedre, egészségére, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries egészségedre, egészségére, CC BY-SA 4.0.
