I'm learning magyar

várni — meaning in English: to wait

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for to wait
kérdés
megtapasztalni
várni
szállítmány
mezsgye
Skip this question   
🎓
Learn Hungarian for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
Already have an account? Log in
neutral common
Usage
Native speakers often use 'várni' in everyday situations, such as when they are waiting for a friend at a café or anticipating the arrival of a train at the station. It's also commonly employed in more formal contexts, such as in business meetings when discussing timelines and deadlines.
Synonyms & nuances
'Várni' is often used interchangeably with 'tűrni', which means 'to endure' or 'to bear'. However, 'tűrni' carries a connotation of suffering or tolerating something unpleasant, while 'várni' simply implies the act of waiting, regardless of the emotional context.
Culture
'Várni' is derived from the Old Hungarian word 'vár', which means 'fortress' or 'to guard', illustrating how waiting can be tied to a sense of vigilance and protection. In Hungarian culture, patience is often seen as a virtue, especially in the context of traditional social gatherings where waiting for the host to serve food is a common practice.
FAQ
Q.How do you conjugate 'várni' in the present tense?
'Várni' is conjugated as follows: 'várok' (I wait), 'vársz' (you wait, singular), 'vár' (he/she/it waits), 'várunk' (we wait), 'vártok' (you wait, plural), and 'várnak' (they wait).
Q.Is 'várni' used in any Hungarian idioms?
'Várni valakire' translates to 'to wait for someone' and is commonly used, especially when arranging meetings or get-togethers.
Q.Are there common mistakes when using 'várni'?
A frequent mistake is confusing 'várni' with 'keresni', which means 'to search for'. While both involve a sense of anticipation, 'várni' focuses on the act of waiting for something or someone to arrive.
Learn hungarian with Maspeak →
Hungarian Vocabulary