mosoly
[ˈmoʃoj]
The English phrase "smile" is translated to Hungarian as mosoly.
The word mosoly can function as both a noun, meaning a happy face expression using mouth, but without producing voice and as the root for the verb meaning to have a smile on one's face.
Meaning: to have a smile on one's face (verb)
Which one should you use?
While mosoly is the noun used to refer to a smile itself, the verb used to describe the actual action of smiling is mosolyog.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun mosoly into a verb, you add the suffix -og to create mosolyog (he/she smiles). Other conjugated forms include mosolyogsz for the second person singular (you smile) and mosolyogok for the first person singular (I smile). The verbal noun mosolyogás is used to refer to the act or process of smiling.
Did you know?
- Instead of saying a smile 'spreads', a Hungarian might say a smile felárad, which literally means it 'gushes' or 'overflows' like a liquid.
- The noun mosoly is a 'back-formation', meaning the word for the action mosolyog existed first and the noun was later created by stripping the suffix.
- The suffix -og in mosolyog is a frequentative marker, which indicates that the action of smiling is continuous or repeated.
Examples in context
- Ijesztő volt a mosolya.His smile was frightening.This sentence shows how to use the noun form mosoly.Tatoeba #8587851 by maaster, translation #8587869 by maaster
- Mosolyogj és légy boldog.Smile and be happy.This sentence uses the verb form mosoly.Tatoeba #7882820 by jegaevi, translation #7562844 by Hybrid
- Nem tudtam nem mosolyogni.I couldn't help but smile.Tatoeba #6581474 by juliusbear, translation #5259967 by CK
- A mosolya nagyon kedves és ragyogó.Her smile is very kind and radiant.
- 101 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zsófia and Tamás are greeting each other at a cafe.
- ZsófiaSzia Tamás, miért mosolyogsz?Hi Tamás, why are you smiling?
- TamásCsak azért, mert látlak!Just because I see you!
- ZsófiaEz nagyon kedves tőled.That is very kind of you.
- TamásTe is mosolyogj velem!You smile with me too!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mosoly, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mosoly, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
