Szeged

Hi All,

I have compiled a list of property/renovation words and sentences with pronunciation help for those who may need help with renovation etc.

The sentences at the end are aimed at making a call to a tradesman whereby you report a problem or needed renovation job for example whereby you then want them to come over for a visit. The other sentences are related to buying things in OBI and local shops as well as asking questions etc to a builder.


Property Words - Building/Rooms

HÁZ (HOUSE) - HAHZ (HAZZ)

HÁZAK (HOUSES) - HAH-ZACK

LAKÁS (FLAT) - LOH-CASH

TÁRSALGÓ (LOUNGE) - TARR-SHOL-GO

NAPPALI SZOBA (LIVING ROOM) - NOH-POH-LEA SOH-BOH

KONYHA (KITCHEN) - KOHNY-ARE

KONY is pronounced KON with an overlapping NYA sound on the end.

HÁLÓSZOBA (BEDROOM) - HAH-LOW-SOH-BOH

HÁLÓSZOBÁK (BEDROOMS) - HAH-LOW-SOH-BACK

FÜRDŐSZOBA (BATHROOM) - FUR-DUR-SOH-BOH

PADLÓ (FLOOR) - POD-LOW

PADLÓK (FLOORS) - POD-LOKE (Rhymes with Joke)

ALAGSOR (BASEMENT) - OH-LOG-SHORE

MENNYEZET (CEILING) - MEN-YEH-ZET (Fake/Extension Ceiling)

PLAFON (CEILING) - PLOH-FOHN (Proper/Raw Ceiling)

MENNYEZETEK (CEILINGS) - MEN-YEH-ZEH-TEK

TETŐ (ROOF) - TEH-TUR

TETŐK (ROOFS) - TEH-TURK

FAL (WALL) - FOLL (as in: Follow)

FALAK (WALLS) - FOL-LOCK

LÉPCSŐ (STAIRS/STAIRCASE) - LAYP-CHUR

LÉPCSŐHÁZ (STAIRWAY) - LAYP-CHUR-HAZ

Property Words - Trade

KŐMŰVES (PLASTERER) - KUR-MOO-VESH

FESTŐ (PAINTER) - FESH-TUR

VÍZVEZETÉK-SZERELŐ (PLUMBER) - VEEZ-VEH-ZEH-TAKE-SEH-REH-LERT

VILLANYSZERELŐ (ELECTRICIAN) - VIHL-LOHNY-SEH-REH-LUR

PADLÓBURKOLÓT (TILER) - PAD-LOW-BORE-KOH-LOTE

ÁCS (CARPENTER/JOINER) - AH-CHA (HATCH without the H)

ÉPÍTÉSZ (BUILDER) - AY-PEA-TACE (TACE - Ryhmes with: LACE)

NOTE: A tiler in Hungary normally fits/lays wooden flooring, lino flooring and
tiled flooring, but might not do carpet. A carpet shop will normally recommend a carpet fitter if they do not have their own carpet fitter.

NOTE: Some painters can do gletting (plastering/skimming) too, but if not will normally out-source a plasterer.

NOTE: Builders in Hungary are normally project managers on big construction jobs. Meaning, the word builder is not really used like in the UK to mean a single person doing a bricklaying or home d.i.y job for example.

NOTE: Depending on the job size, time and costs, a tradesman will normally ask to be paid in installments for a large renovation job for example in order to pay their workers. However, if the job is just a quick one or two day D.I.Y job they will normally expect to be paid when that job has been completed.

Property Words - Materials/Appliances/Fittings

ANYAGOK (MATERIALS) - OH-NYOH-GOCK

GLETT (PLASTER) - GLEHTT (Double T)

FESTÉK (PAINT) - FESH-TAKE

ECSETEK (PAINT BRUSHES) - EH-CHEH-TECK

CSÖVEK (PIPES) - CHUR-VECK

CSEMPE (TILES) - CHEM-PEH

MOSOGATÓ (SINK) - MOH-SHOH-GAH-TOE

CSAP (TAP) - CHOP

CSAPOK (TAPS) - CHOH-POCK

FÜRDŐKÁD (BATH) - FUR-DUR-KAHD

ZUHANY (SHOWER) - ZOO-HOHN-NYA

HANY is pronounced HOHN with an overlapping NYA sound on the end.

VÉCÉ (TOILET) - VAYT-SAY

CÉ is pronounced with the spit sound, like the words Tay and Say are
overlapping whereby the C sounds like T and S overlapping with a spit sound in the background.

AJTÓ (DOOR) - OHY-TOE

OHY is pronounced OH and YA overlapping. A bit like HOY but OH-YA. Breath the YA sound as you say the OH sound (a bit like breathing onto a mirror when doing a HA or UH sound, to get the mirror misty).

KAPCSOLÓ (SWITCH) - COP-CHOE-LOE

ÁROM (POWER) - AH-ROM

VILLANYKÖRTE (LIGHT BULB) - VIHL-LAHNY-KUR-TEH (VIL-LANY KUR-TEH)

IZZÓ (BULB) - IHZ-ZOE (IHZ-ZOW) (can use: Égő - AY-GUR)

BOJLER (BOILER) - BOY-LUR

RADIÁTOR (RADIATOR) - RAH-DEE-AH-TOUR (modern saying)

FŰTŐTEST (RADIATOR) - FUR-TUR-TESHT (not used to describe a modern
radiator)

BIZTOSÍTÉK (FUSE) - BIZ-TOH-SHE-TAKE

KONNEKTOR (SOCKET) - KOH-NECK-TOUR (Do NOT pronounce the double
N)

DUGÓ (PLUG) - DUH-GO


Property Words - General

HEDEG VÍZ (COLD WATER) - HE-DEG VEEZ

MELEG VÍZ (HOT WATER) - MEH-LEG VEEZ

GAS (GÁZ) - GAHZ

ELEKTROMOS (ELECTRIC) - EH-LECK-TROH-MOSH

VÍZ (WATER) - VEEZ


Property Sentences

I Would Like [Five / Ten] Litres Of This Paint
Szeretnék Öt/Tíz Liter Festéket Ebből A Színből
SEH-RET-NAKE [UHT / TEASE] LEA-TARE FESH-TAY-KEHT EHB-BURL OH SEEN-BURL

Do You Have This In [Red / Blue]?
Van Ez [Pirosban / Kékben]
VOHN EZ [PEA-ROSH-BOHN / CAKE-BEN]

Excuse Me. Where Are The [Paint Brushes]?
Elnézést, Merre Vannak Az Ecsetek
EL-NAY-ZEHST, MARE-REH VOHN-KNOCK OZ EH-CHEH-TECK

I Am Looking For [The Light Bulbs / The Paint Section]
[Villanyégő / Festék Részleget] Keresem
VIL-LOHNY-AY-GUR / FESH-TAKE RACE-LEH-GET] KEH-REH-SHEM

I Am Looking For [Some Paint / A Paintroller / Cement]
[Festéket / Festőhengert / Cementet] Keresek
[FESH-TAY-KEHT / FESH-TUR-HEN-GAIRT / SEH-MEN-TEHT] KEH-REH-SHEK

Where Are The [Tiles / Flooring]
Hol Van A [Csempe / Padlóburkoló]
HOL VOHN OH [CHEM-PEH / PAD-LO-BUR-KOH-LOW]

We Don't Sell [That / Those / Them]
Mi Nem Árulunk [Azt / Azokat / Őket]
ME NEM AH-ROO-LUNK [OHST / OZ-O-COT / UR-KEHT]

How Much Is [This Paint / Per Meter]?
Mennyibe Kerül [Ez A Festék / Egy Méter / Egy Négyzetméter]
MEN-YEE-BEH KEH-RULE [EZ OH FESH-TAKE / EH-JA MAY-TARE / EH-JA NAGE-ZEHT-MAY-TARE]

Do You Sell [Light Bulbs / White Spirits]?
Árulnak Önök [Villanyégőt / Higitót]
AH-RULE-KNOCK UR-NURK [VIL-LOHNY-AY-GUR / HE-GE-TOTE]

Can You Recommend A Local [Plumber / Tiler / Electrician / Painter]?
Tudna Ajánlani Egy Helyi [Vízvezetékszerelőt / Padlóburkolót / Villanyszerelőt / Festőt]
TUD-NOH OH-YAHN-LOH-KNEE EH-JA HEH-YEE [VEEZ-VEH-ZEH-TAKE-SEH-REH-LERT / PAD-LOW-BORE-KOH-LOTE / VIL-LOHNY-SEH-REH-LURT / FESH-TURT]

How Much Do You Charge [Per Hour / Per Day]?
Mennyi Az [Óradij / Napidij]
MEN-YEE OZ [OR-ROH-DEE.Y / NOH-PEE-DEE.Y]

How Much Will The Job Cost?
Mennyibe Fog Kerülni Ez A Munka
MEN-YEE-BEH FOG KEH-RULE-KNEE EZ OH MUHN-KOH

How Many Tiles Would I Need To Cover A [4 X 6] Meters Room?
Mennyi Csempére Lesz Szükségem Egy [Négy-Szer Hat] Méteres Szoba Csempézéséhez
MEN-YEE CHEM-PAY-REH LESS SOOK-SHAY-GEHM EH-JA [NAGE-SARE HOT] MAY-TEH-RESH SOH-BOH CHEM-PAY-ZAY-SHAY-HEHZ

How Much Paint Would I Need To Cover A 4 X 6 Meters Room?
Mennyi Festékre Lesz Szükségem Egy [Négy-Szer Hat] Méteres Szoba Kifestéséhez
MEN-YEE FESH-TAKE-REH LESS SOOK-SHAY-GEHM EH-JA [NAGE-SARE HOT] MAY-TEH-RESH SOH-BOH KEY-FESH-TAY-SHAY-HEHZ

Where Is The Wood Gloss Section
Hol Van A Fa Zománcfesték Részleg
HOL VOHN OH FOH ZOE-MANTS-FESH-TAKE RACE-LEG (MANTS - Ryhmes with: Pants)

I Am Looking For The [Plumber / Tiler / Electrician / Painter]
Keresem A [Vízvezetékszerelőt / Padlóburkolót / Villanyszerelőt / Festőt]
KEH-REH-SHEM OH [VEEZ-VEH-ZEH-TAKE-SEH-REH-LERT / PAD-LOW-BORE-KOH-LOTE / VIL-LOHNY-SEH-REH-LURT / FESH-TURT]

I Am Looking For A [Plumber / Tiler / Electrician / Painter]
Keresek Egy [Vízvezetékszerelőt / Padlóburkolót / Villanyszerelőt / Festőt]
KEH-REH-SHECK EH-JA [VEEZ-VEH-ZEH-TAKE-SEH-REH-LERT / PAD-LOW-BORE-KOH-LOTE / VIL-LOHNY-SEH-REH-LURT / FESH-TURT]

Can You Give Me A Quote for this job?
Tudna Adni Egy Árajánlatot Erre A Munkára?
TUD-NOH ODD-KNEE EH-JA AHR-OH-YAHN-LOH-TOT AIR-REH OH MUHN-KAH-ROH

I Have A Problem With The [Toilet / Bath / Boiler]
Problémám Van A [Vécé-Vel / Fürdővel / Bojlerrel]
PROH-BLAY-MAHM VOHN OH [VAY-SAY-VEHL / FUR-DUR-VEHL / BOY-LARE-REHL]

There Is No Electricity
Nincs Áram
NINCH AH-ROM (Pronounce Árom short/flat/plain, so you don't say Három/3)

When Could You Come Around And Check The Problem?
Mikor Tudna Kijönni Megnézni
MIH-CORE TUD-NOH KEY-YURN-KNEE MEG-NAISE-KNEE

[My Address Is ... / The Address Is ...]
[A Címem ... / A Cím ...]
[OH SEE-MEM ... / OH SEEM ...] (CÍ - Spit Sound!)

My Phone Number Is ... / The Phone Number Is ...]
[A Telefonszámom / A Telefonszám]
OH TEH-LEH-FOHN-SAH-MOM / OH TEH-LEH-FON-SAM

When Will It Be Available?
Mikor Lesz Elérhető
MIH-CORE LESS EL-AIRR-HEH-TUR

Can I Order It/One?
Megrendelhetem
MEG-REN-DEL-HEH-TEM

When Can I Collect It?
Mikor Vehetem Át
MIH-CORE VEH-HEH-TEM AHT

When Will It Be Ready?
Mikor Lesz Kész
MIH-CORE LESS CASE

What Are The Labor Costs
Mik A Munkaerő-Költségek
MICK OH MUHN-KOH-EH-RUR KURL-CHAY-GECK

How Much Were The Materials?
Mennyibe Kerültek Az Anyagok
MEN-YEE-BEH KEH-RULE-TECK OZ OH-NYOH-GOCK

How Much Will The Materials Cost?
Mennyibe Fognak Kerülni Az Anyagok
MEN-YEE-BEH FOG-NOK KEH-RULE-KNEE OZ OH-NYOH-GOCK

How Would You Like Paying?
Hogyan Szeretné Hogy Fizessek
HOH-JOHN SEH-RET-NAY HODGE FEE-ZESH-SHECK

At The End Of The Job / In Two Installments
A Munka Végén / Két Részletben
OH MUHN-KOH VAY-GAIN / KATE RACE-LET-BEN

Does The Price Include Materials?
Az Ár Tartalmazza Az Anyagokat
OZ AHR TOHR-TOLL-MOZ-ZOH OZ OH-NYOH-GO-COT

Of Course
Persze (Informal) / Természetesen (Formal)
PEAR-SEH / TARE-MAY-SEH-TEH-SHEN

fidobsa

Thanks for that, it must have taken a while to put that lot together! I found when I was looking at houses they did not tend to bother to state the purpose of each room unless it was a bathroom, kitchen etc that is equipped for a certain function. That could have been down to the type of places I was considering though as most needed work. Something I would suggest to those unfamiliar with comparing houses by their living area in square metres is to calculate the area of the place they are living now. When I was looking at photos on the internet I rejected a lot of houses as being too small but you have to bear in mind that ceilings are normally higher than we are used to in UK and this makes buildings look narrower from the outside than they really are.

I found paint and plaster the most difficult items to buy and have still not found products that I really like. It is a long time since I did plastering in UK so the technology may well have moved on there too. In Hungary I have never found products equivalent to the carlite browning and thistle plaster I used back in the early '80s in UK. In Hungary it seems to be quite usual to achieve the final finish by sanding so the top coat products behave more like plasterboard joint filler.

Razorbite101

I,m looking to get some work done in the Kis-Balaton area, some plastering and some carpentry. Should I be looking for individual tradesmen or a small building firm?
And what would be the chance of paying tradesmen with a credit card or is cash the only way to go?

Peter_in_Hungary

Plaster is not used in Hungary! Walls are rendered (sand/lime/cement) by the builder and then the finish to smoth is done by the painter/decorator using glett which is a filler (and yes they use the same stuff for plasterboard joints)

Neither rendered walls nor plasterboard are skim coated.

In my experience DO NOT ask the builder to put the glett coat on either the render or the plasterboard - they can't do it, it is outside their skill set and you will get a mess.

Peter_in_Hungary

And what would be the chance of paying tradesmen with a credit card or is cash the only way to go? - Any one who has been here for more than a few months will be rolling about on the floor at this question. A more realistic question would be - will I get a bill at the end or do I just hand over the cash?!

Individual tradesmen or a small building firm depends upin what you are doing. What do you mean by 'plastering', see my comment above re plastering. Most builders who are individual tradesmen are what in the UK would be a small building firm, a qualified builder with a number of labourers with various skill sets. for painter/decorators then an individual tradesmen IMO would be the way to go. For the carpentery, again it depends upon what you are expecting to be done as to what tradesman you look for. An ács would be a site carpenter using a large saw or chainsaw, or an asztalos who would be a joiner who typically would do most of the work on machines in his workshop and then deliver and fit. For these I would say same as decorators.

But as always go by recomendation having seen end product work and get a quote first.

And regarding quotes make sure you both understand what is included in the work to be done (especially with respect to rubbish disposal and site clearance)

GBA77

Nice one Szeged. I will try some of that out on the local hardware place when I find it. Poor sod will run a mile!

GBA

wolfi

Thanks, Szeged, for that list! A lot of work went into that, I'm sure.

Just two additional points:

In Hungarian words the stress/emphasis is always on the first syllable!

And the vowels without an accent (a, e, i, o, u, ö, ü) are always short - with an accent (á, é, í, ó, ú, ű, ő) are long ...

Szeged

For those who do not fully understand the tax system and way of life as a self-employed person in Hungary, from a Hungarian's perspective, the system works sought of like this:

The Hungarian government taxes the self-employed person so heavily that certain jobs do not go on the books. They are called 'Black Hat' jobs ('avoiding the taxman' jobs) whereby the job is either:

1) Completely 'cash-in-hand' and nothing goes to the taxman (customer may get their work done cheaper if they get a 'black hat' tradesman).

2) The materials are receipted as if the customer paid for them (customer gets receipt for those materials) but the work is "cash-in-hand' and nothing goes to the taxman.

3) The tradesman understands you need a receipt etc for your own accountant/business expenses and therefore does you a legal job (you get receipts, invoices, etc and the taxman gets paid). Fully above board.

Normally you need a local Hungarian to negotiate what kind of tradesman you require (i.e. a tradesman will not fully trust a "foreigner" as the tradesman is usually on red alert when taking "foreign" jobs and being aware of taxman tactics). A local can usually prevent rip-off scenarios or at least judge if a tradesman is "dodgy" or not.

The above situation is similar in the UK. Not every builder puts every job on the books....or so "it is said".

Please note: It is not for me to judge the above situation and in no way am I suggesting you use a 'black hat' tradesman - I am merely pointing out the situation so you are aware of it and know 'what is what'.

Szeged

Thanks Wolfi (I was aware!) - Also, statements are said in monotone and questions are slightly higher pitched. Example: The sky is blue (statement/monotone voice) versus The sky is BLUE (same statement asked like a question/said almost like you are surprised - is the sky blue?).

Forgot to mention that in OBI (I don't know about other shops) Gloss is actually known as matt/half shiney/bright (i.e. they do not use the word Gloss on the tin). They use Fényes; which translates more as shiny/bright than glossy!

kohoutek

Excellent stuff now I can sort out the house .... LOL

THANKS