szép napot
The English phrase 'have a nice day' is translated into Hungarian as szép napot.
szép napot is a polite phrase used exclusively when departing or ending an interaction. It is not used as a greeting when arriving. If you wish to say 'have a nice evening' instead of 'day', you replace the word for day with szép estét.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'beautiful day' in the accusative case, which is used here to imply 'I wish you a beautiful day'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While szép napot is common, it is a slightly more casual, shortened version of the full phrase szép napot kívánok. For a more respectful and formal way to say 'Have a nice day', you can use Jó napot kívánok, which means 'I wish you a good day'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The full, grammatically complete version of the phrase is szép napot kívánok, where kívánok means 'I wish'. In a formal setting, if you are addressing a group, you might use Önöknek, which means 'to all of you'.
Did you know?
- The word szép used in szép napot may be distantly related to the Finnish word seppä meaning 'smith', suggesting a historical link between 'beauty' and 'skill'.
- While szép napot is a parting wish, the formal version Jó napot kívánok can be used as both a greeting upon arrival and a goodbye upon departure.
- In Hungary, it is common to respond to szép napot with the phrase köszönöm, viszont kívánom, which means 'thank you, I wish it back to you'.
Examples in context
- Szép napot kívánok Önnek!I wish you a nice day! (formal)
- Szép napot, szia!Have a nice day, bye!
Example conversation
László is leaving a small cafe where Anna works.
- LászlóKöszönöm a kávét.Thank you for the coffee.
- AnnaSzívesen! Szép napot kívánok!You're welcome! Have a nice day!
- LászlóKöszönöm szépen, szép napot!Thank you very much, have a nice day!
- AnnaViszontlátásra!Goodbye!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries napot, szép, CC BY-SA 4.0.
