jól vagyok
The phrase "I am fine" in Hungarian is jól vagyok.
jól vagyok is a response used to say that one is in good health or feeling well.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb jól (well) and the first-person singular of the verb lenni (to be), vagyok (I am).
Which one should you use?
While jól vagyok means "I am well/fine" (referring to health or state of being), it should not be confused with Jól megy?, which is a way to ask "How is it going?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hungarian, the subject pronoun én (I) is often omitted because the verb ending -ok in vagyok already indicates the first-person singular.
Did you know?
- While jól vagyok means you are fine, saying jól vagy to someone else means 'you are fine' or 'you are okay'. However, if you ask Jól vagy?, it is the standard way to ask 'Are you alright?' during an emergency.
- The word vagyok comes from the root van, which means 'there is'. Essentially, when you say jól vagyok, you are stating that you 'exist well'.
- To sound more natural, Hungarians often answer jól instead of the full phrase jól vagyok. In this context, the single word functions as a complete sentence.
Examples in context
- „Hogy vagy?” „Jól vagyok, köszönöm.”"How are you?" "I am fine, thank you."This shows a common exchange where jól vagyok is used to answer the question "How are you?"Tatoeba #13852090 by kiseva33, translation #73914 by Zifre
- Jól vagyok, köszönöm.I am fine, thank you.Tatoeba #1595163 by PajerBoro, translation #926934 by zvaigzne
- Hogy van? Jól vagyok, köszönöm! És maga?How are you? I am fine, thank you! And you?
- Hogy vagy? Jól vagyok, köszi! És te?How are you? I am fine, thanks! And you?
Example conversation
Gábor and Katalin meet in a park.
- GáborSzia Katalin, hogy vagy?Hi Katalin, how are you?
- KatalinKöszönöm, jól vagyok.Thank you, I am fine.
- GáborÖrülök, hogy jól vagy.I'm glad you are well.
- KatalinÉs te, Gábor, hogy vagy?And you, Gábor, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jól, vagyok, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
