Ways to say it
| Hungarian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| jó napot | [ˈjoːnɒpot] (narrow) | informal |
| jó napot kívánok | [ˈjoːnɒpot ˌkiːvaːnok] (narrow) |
jó napot is a greeting used specifically between sunrise and sunset. It is not used during the evening or at night.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of jó, meaning "good" and napot, which is "day" in the accusative case.
Which one should you use?
While jó napot is a common way to say "good day", the form jó napot kívánok is a more polite and complete version that literally translates to "I wish (you) a good day".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
jó napot can be used in both formal and informal situations, though it is often a shortened, more casual version used in everyday interactions. For a more formal or complete expression, use jó napot kívánok. If you want an informal greeting like "Hi!", you should use Szia! instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Transylvania, Romania, locals often use Szervusz! as an informal greeting instead of Szia!
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for day is nap, but it takes the -ot suffix to become napot because it acts as the object of the implied verb "wish".
Did you know?
- The word nap means both 'day' and 'sun' in Hungarian. Because of this, jó napot can be interpreted as wishing someone a 'good sun'.
- The word jó shares an ancient root with words for 'river' in Finnish and Estonian, such as the Finnish joki, even though the meanings are now completely different.
- In Hungarian culture, jó napot is often used not just as a greeting when arriving, but also as a polite way to say goodbye when leaving a shop or office.
Examples in context
- Jó napot! Hogy vagy?Good day, how are you?This example shows the use of jó napot in a greeting.Tatoeba #3174093 by mraz, translation #415678 by blay_paul
- Jó napot! Mit parancsol a hölgy?Good day. What would the lady like?This example uses jó napot to start a polite inquiry.Tatoeba #13504566 by maaster, translation #10241506 by AlanF_US
- Jó napot kívánok! Ön az új szomszédunk, ha nem tévedek?Good day! You are our new neighbor, if I am not mistaken?This example demonstrates the more formal jó napot kívánok used when meeting a neighbor.Tatoeba #1037606 by Mofli, translation #1077740 by keira_n
- Jó napot, Kovács úr/asszony!Good day, Mr./Mrs. Kovács!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
László and Zsófia meet on the sidewalk in the afternoon.
- LászlóJó napot, Zsófia!Good day, Zsófia!
- ZsófiaJó napot, László! Hogy vagy?Good day, László! How are you?
- LászlóNagyon jól, köszönöm.Very well, thank you.
- ZsófiaÖrülök neki. Viszlát!I am glad to hear it. Goodbye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good day” translations and entries jó napot, jó napot kívánok, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jó, jó napot, jó napot kívánok, kívánok, napot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
