egy
[ˈɛɟː]
The Hungarian word for the number one is egy.
egy is the cardinal number one. It is also used to function as the indefinite article (a/an) before both vowels and consonants.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Which one should you use?
While egy represents the specific number one, the related form egyik is used when you mean 'one of a group' or 'one of several', such as saying 'one of the books'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a cardinal number, egy serves a dual purpose: it represents the number one and acts as the indefinite article in Hungarian.
Did you know?
- Some linguists believe egy may be related to the Proto-Uralic word ede, which referred to the 'front' or 'forepart' of something.
- Because egy functions as the indefinite article, Hungarian sentences lack the 'a/an' distinction based on whether the next word starts with a vowel or consonant.
Examples in context
- Ez az egyik ok.That's one of the reasons.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use egyik to express 'one of'.Tatoeba #8375930 by felvideki, translation #2892061 by CK
- Ő volt az egyik.He was one of them.This sentence shows how to use egyik when referring to a person as one of a group.Tatoeba #10143224 by maaster, translation #10143225 by maaster
- Van egy sárga is.There's also a yellow one.This sentence shows how egy can be used to refer to a single object.Tatoeba #4672435 by bandeirante, translation #3133503 by CK
- 1371 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tamás and Éva are at a coffee shop.
- TamásEgy kávét kérek.I would like one coffee.
- ÉvaCsak egyet?Only one?
- TamásIgen, egy elég.Yes, one is enough.
- ÉvaRendben, Tamás.All right, Tamás.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries egy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries egy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
