tonhal
[ˈtonɦɒl]
The English word tuna is tonhal in Hungarian.
tonhal is a noun used to refer to the tuna fish. When you need to use tuna as an adjective to describe something that contains or is made of tuna, such as a tuna can or tuna salad, you use the form tonhalas.
Meaning: fish (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word tonhal is a compound of tonna, meaning ton and hal, meaning fish, though it is used specifically for the tuna species.
How does it change in a sentence?
To transform the noun tonhal into an adjective to describe something containing tuna, add the suffix -as to create tonhalas.
Did you know?
- The word hal is a linguistic relative of the Finnish word kala, showing a connection between Hungarian and Finnish from thousands of years ago.
- The term tonhal is a partial calque of the German word Thunfisch, combining a foreign root with the native Hungarian word for 'fish'.
- Because tonhal is a compound of 'ton' and 'fish', a literalist might joke that the fish actually weighs a ton.
Examples in context
- Tom kinyitott egy tonhalas konzervet.Tom opened a can of tuna fish.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a can of tuna using tonhalas.Tatoeba #4311536 by mraz, translation #2006513 by CK
- Egy cápa bőre sokkal érdesebb, mint egy tonhalé.The skin of a shark is much rougher than that of a tuna fish.This sentence compares the skin of a shark to that of a tonhal.Tatoeba #7080940 by maaster, translation #54018 by CK
- A csirkehús, a tonhal és a szója jelentős fehérjeforrások.Chicken, tuna and soybeans are good sources of protein.This sentence lists tonhal as a source of protein.Tatoeba #4744559 by maaster, translation #4744176 by CK
- Ma a vacsorámra tonhalat eszem.I'm having tuna for dinner today.
- Holnap piacra megyek és tonhalat fogok venni.Tomorrow I'm going to the market to buy tuna.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tamás and Zsófia are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- TamásMit együnk ma ebédre, Zsófia?What should we eat for lunch today, Zsófia?
- ZsófiaSzeretnék egy salátát, amiben van tonhal.I would like a salad that has tuna in it.
- TamásÉn is szívesen eszem a tonhalat.I also enjoy eating tuna.
- ZsófiaAkkor készítsek egy nagy adagot mindnkettőnknek?Then should I make a large portion for both of us?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tuna” translations and entries tonhal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tonhal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
