Foreigners left baffled by quirky Hungarian proverbs – VIDEO
What do a sausage fence, a bustard, and bacon made from a dog have in common? Nothing—except they all feature in Hungarian proverbs that leave foreigners scratching their heads…
Hungarian proverbs leave people stumped
As Promotions reports, the world of Hungarian proverbs is a linguistic goldmine—not just for native speakers but for curious foreigners, too. A recent video shows English-speaking individuals trying to decipher some of Hungary’s most popular sayings, with mixed results. Reactions ranged from laughter to complete confusion, as literal translations often conjured up some bizarre imagery. It’s no surprise, since the metaphor-rich Hungarian language can be a challenge even for its own speakers.
Funny oddities
One particular proverb, “Nem kolbászból van a kerítés” (“The fence isn’t made of sausage”), sparked a lot of laughter. While Hungarians understand this to mean that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows—nothing comes easy—foreigners were left imagining actual fences built from meat. The absurdity of the literal meaning first caused befuddlement, but once they learned the true message, it prompted hearty laughter. This showcased how Hungarian proverbs pack deep wisdom behind seemingly strange images.
A similar reaction came from the saying “Kutyából nem lesz szalonna” (“You can’t make bacon from a dog”). Many foreigners were initially taken aback, wondering if it referred to some disturbing cultural practice involving animals. Of course, the real meaning is that people don’t change their true nature. Once explained, it resonated more clearly, though the phrase still sounded peculiar. This proverb, both surprising and insightful, highlighted how language reflects diverse ways of seeing the world.
Animal-inspired life lessons
In the end, video participants admitted that Hungarian proverbs, while initially puzzling, offer a fascinating glimpse into Hungarian culture. Sayings like “Egyik kutya, másik eb” (“Same dog, different collar”) and “Jobb ma egy veréb, mint holnap egy túzok” (“A sparrow today is better than a bustard tomorrow”) go far beyond their literal wording to convey meaningful life truths. For foreigners, these vivid expressions may feel alien at first, but once the meaning clicks, many are surprised to find parallel wisdom in their own languages. Hungarian proverbs are more than just curious idioms—they’re cultural mirrors worth the effort to understand.
To read or share this article in Hungarian, click here: Helló Magyar
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