Learning Hungarian doesn’t have to feel like memorising an endless list of grammar rules. Games and puzzles can turn vocabulary drills into something you actually look forward to. Here’s how to make it work.
Word Games for Vocabulary Building
Word games force you to think on your feet, which helps cement new vocabulary. Try these:
- Hangman with a twist: Instead of random words, use categories like food (check out our guide on discussing food in Hungarian) or common phrases.
- Crossword puzzles: Start with simple ones designed for learners. Focus on thematic vocabulary like travel or daily routines.
- Scrabble (but Hungarian edition): Modify the classic game by allowing only Hungarian words. Bonus points for using diacritics correctly.
Puzzles for Grammar Practice
Grammar is where Hungarian gets tricky, but puzzles can make it less painful.
- Jigsaw sentence construction: Write a sentence on paper, cut it into words, then rearrange. Helps with word order practice.
- Fill-in-the-blank stories: Remove key verbs or nouns from a short text and challenge yourself to complete it.
Visszaható ige
/ˈvisːɒhɒtoː ˈiɡɛ/“Reflexive verb”
A verb where the subject and object are the same, like 'mosakszik' (to wash oneself). Common in Hungarian and often tricky for learners.
Digital Games for Immersion
If you prefer screens over paper, try these:
- Language learning apps with gamification: Duolingo and Memrise turn lessons into bite-sized challenges.
- Hungarian-language mobile games: Switch your phone’s language to Hungarian and play simple games like word searches or trivia.
Tip: Pair games with real-world practice. After playing a food-themed word game, try ordering in Hungarian at a restaurant.
Board Games for Group Learning
Playing with others? These work well:
- Taboo (Hungarian edition): Describe a word without using forbidden terms. Forces creative vocabulary use.
- Pictionary: Draw while teammates guess the Hungarian word. Great for visual learners.
Games won’t replace structured study, but they’ll make the process far less tedious. For more unconventional methods, see our guide on learning Japanese through anime - similar principles apply.
