Pork, Lentils, and Luck: Hungarian New Year's Superstitions

What do Hungarians eat to get rich? Why is chicken forbidden on January 1st? 🤯 Join us for the final episode of the year to dive into the funniest and most essential Hungarian New Year's superstitions (babonák)! Learn which lucky foods (like lencse and malac) bring money and prosperity, and which simple actions you must avoid to ensure a successful year. Boldog Új Évet! / BÚÉK! 🥂

This episode is about the winter solstice — the longest night and the quiet promise of light returning.
We talk about ancient traditions, renewal, and the way Hungarians have always marked the turning of the year.
It’s a reflection on time, hope, and the slow rhythm of nature that invites us to begin again.

If you’d like to learn more about Hungarian Christmas customs, listen to the ⁠earlier episode from Season 1⁠, too and / or the episode from last week.

This episode is about the scent of Christmas — cinnamon, pine, and childhood memories.
We talk about the quiet joy of preparing for the holidays, the sounds and smells that fill Hungarian homes, and how traditions bring people closer.
If you’d like to learn more about Hungarian Christmas customs, listen to the earlier episode from Season 1, too.

This episode invites you to slow down and find a little light in the middle of winter.
We talk about silence, peace, and awakening — inspired by the season and by the story of Buddha’s enlightenment.
It’s not about religion, but about the quiet moments that bring us clarity and warmth when days are short and cold.

This episode celebrates 100 years of Hungarian radio.
We’ll talk about how radio shaped the way Hungarians speak, listen, and connect — from the first broadcasts to today’s digital voices.
Discover how “beautiful speech,” clear pronunciation, and shared stories on the air have kept the Hungarian language alive across generations.

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, Hungarian villages begin to slow down — and prepare. 🕯️

In this episode, we explore how people in the Hungarian countryside get ready for Christmas: from baking and decorating to the small, meaningful rituals that bring families together. You’ll hear about long-kept traditions, winter flavors, and the quiet beauty of waiting for the holidays.

Learn festive Hungarian words and expressions while immersing yourself in the spirit of a simpler, cozier season.

For: A2–B1 learners of Hungarian, culture lovers, and anyone who enjoys stories about warmth, tradition, and belonging.

What makes Budapest so unforgettable? 🇭🇺 Many would say the Parliament, the Castle, or the breathtaking skyline — but a lot of people think, the real heart of the city is the Danube.

In this calm and reflective episode, we explore how the river has shaped Budapest’s history, identity, and rhythm of life for over a thousand years. From the first wooden crossings to the iconic Chain Bridge, the Danube has been both a divider and a unifier — a force of nature that connects people, cultures, and time itself.

Learn some facts, deepen your Hungarian vocabulary, and feel the quiet beauty of a city built by its river.

For: B2–C1 learners of Hungarian, travelers, and anyone who loves history told with heart.

Are you ready to look behind the words of the Hungarian language? 🇭🇺

Welcome to this relaxed, insightful episode where we explore the vivid and sometimes confusing world of Hungarian proverbs and idioms (szólások). These expressions offer a direct window into the Hungarian way of thinking and / or sense of humor.

In this episode, we decode some phrases that make little sense when translated literally, including the phrase:

• "Kicsi a bors, de erős." (Literally: "The pepper is small, but strong.")

We will discuss what this and other curious sayings really mean, how they relate to everyday life, and how you can use them to sound more native.

Join for a calm, yet deep dive into these "secrets" hidden within the Hungarian language. Mastering these idioms is the next step in your linguistic journey!

For: Hungarian language learners (B1-B2 level) who want to expand their conversational skills and cultural understanding.