kérem és köszönöm
[ˈkeːrɛm ˈeːʃ ˈkøsønøm]word by word
The English phrase "please and thank you" is translated into Hungarian as kérem és köszönöm.
This phrase is a polite combination used when making a request and expressing gratitude.
Which one should you use?
For more casual settings, you can use the informal Kérlek! for "Please!" and Köszi! for "Thanks!" In formal situations, if you wish to ask someone to do something, you might use the phrase Lenne szíves…?, which means "Would you kindly…?"
Did you know?
- In Hungarian, you can express 'you are welcome' by using the word szívesen, which literally means 'with pleasure'.
- In very formal Hungarian service, instead of just saying kérem, one might use kérjük, which shifts the 'asking' from 'I' to 'we' to sound even more professional.
- The root of köszönöm is the verb köszön, which in older contexts meant 'to greet' or 'to wish well', linking gratitude to a social greeting.
Example conversation
Gábor is teaching Anna some basic Hungarian manners.
- GáborTudod, hogy ezt hogy mondjuk magyarul?Do you know how we say this in Hungarian?
- AnnaIgen, egyszerűen kérem és köszönöm.Yes, simply please and thank you.
- GáborKérem és köszönöm. Ez így helyes?Please and thank you. Is this correct?
- AnnaIgen, Gábor, teljesen jó!Yes, Gábor, it's perfectly fine!
