How Hungarians Call Their Country in Their Language

Hungarians, or Magyarok as they call themselves, have a unique way of referring to their country. The name of Hungary is Magyarország, a phrase that literally translates to 'Hungarian Land.' This article explores the meaning behind the name and how it fits into the broader context of Hungarian language and culture.

Magyar: The People and Land

The foundation of the name begins with the word Magyar, which is the self-designation of the Hungarian people. It carries a deep historical and cultural significance. Interestingly, the term comes from the Huns, a nomadic people who roamed around Eurasia during the 5th and 6th centuries. The connection between the Huns and modern Hungarians can be seen in the name of the country, which includes the root of the Hun tribe.

In the Greek language, the Hungarians were known as HWOURGOI or Vongroi. Over time, the term evolved, leading to the English name 'Hungary.' The 'H' in 'Hungary' is derived from the 'H' in 'Hun,' which is a historical reference to the migrating tribes that eventually settled in the Carpathian Basin and formed the basis of modern Hungary.

Orszag: The Land

The term Orszag in Hungarian means 'country.' This provides the necessary context to understand that the full name of the country, Magyarország, is a combination of 'Magyar' and 'ország.' The suffix 'ország' is a common element in many Hungarian country names, reflecting the structure and language used for other nations.

Other Country Names in Hungarian

The uniqueness of the Hungarian naming convention can be observed in how other countries are referred to in the language. For example:

Spain: Spanyolország Italy: Olaszország Greece: G?r?gország

In each case, the nationality is the root word, followed by the suffix 'ország,' meaning 'country.' This common structure offers a clear and consistent way of naming other nations in Hungarian, highlighting the linguistic and cultural heritage of the language.

To help you understand the pronunciation and phonetics of these terms, we can refer to the English Wikipedia page for Hungary. This resource provides a reliable phonetic guide and pronunciation notes for the Hungarian name and other relevant linguistic information.