…(-nak/-nek) hívnak
The English phrase "my name is" can be translated into Hungarian as …(-nak/-nek) hívnak or a nevem …
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Hungarian |
|---|
| …(-nak/-nek) hívnak |
| a nevem … |
Both forms are used to identify yourself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase …(-nak/-nek) hívnak literally translates to "they call me …".
Which one should you use?
While a nevem … is a direct way to say "my name is …", the form …(-nak/-nek) hívnak is often more common in natural, spoken introductions.
When do people say it?
When someone asks for your name, you can reply with 'XY vagyok. Az én nevem XY .'
Did you know?
- In Hungary, it is customary to list your family name before your given name when introducing yourself formally.
- When using the 'hívnak' form, you must add a suffix to your name, such as '-nak' or '-nek', depending on the word's vowels. This makes your own name change its spelling slightly during an introduction.
- The word név in a nevem is a linguistic relative of the English word 'name', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to call' or 'to name'.
Examples in context
- A nevem Kovács János.My name is János Kovács.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, hívnak, nevem, CC BY-SA 4.0.
