Hány óra van?
[ˈhaːɲ ˈoːrɒ ˈvɒn]word by word
To ask "what time is it?" in Hungarian, use Hány óra van?
This phrase is used to ask for the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Hány óra van? translates to "How many hours are there?" The word Hány means "how many" and is used here to ask for the quantity of hours.
When do people say it?
When answering this question, you use the structure "X óra van" (It is X o'clock), such as Egy óra van. to say "It is one o'clock."
Did you know?
- The word hány is a distant relative of the Northern Mansi word хӯнуӈкве, which means 'to scoop out fish from a barrel'.
- In Hungarian, the word óra refers both to the 'hour' of the day and to the physical 'clock' or 'watch' on your wrist.
- Hungarian speakers may answer Hány óra van? using a 24-hour clock in formal settings, though they use a 12-hour clock in casual conversation.
Example conversation
Katalin and Gábor are waiting for a bus.
- KatalinGábor, hány óra van?Gábor, what time is it?
- GáborVárjunk, nézzem a óramat.Wait, let me look at my watch.
- GáborMost pontosan kettő óra van.It is exactly two o'clock now.
- KatalinKöszönöm szépen!Thank you very much!
