The most satisfying first step of learning any language is the basics such as hello, thanks, how are you, etc. This page teaches them without any grammar, but it is the only time I will give Hungarian phonetic pronunciation. The grammar is contained in the rest of the site!

• boldog születésnapot (kívánok) (I wish you a) happy birthday bol-dog soo-leh-tesh-na-pot (kee-va-nok)

The above is a more modern approach that you may find used among younger people. A more traditional approach is given below.

• Isten éltessen sokáig may god make you live long, i.e. may god give a long life Ish-ten airl-tesh-shen shock-ahh-ig

Here are some other greetings you might find useful

• Happy name-day
• I love you
• Hello, good morning
• You are beautiful/pretty

This page covers just happy birthday. For the full list, please see the list of Hungarian greetings page