Tudni vs Ismerni (Know) in Hungarian

Overview

Hungarian distinguishes between two verbs for "know": tudni (to know facts, to know how to do something) and ismerni (to know/be acquainted with someone or something). This distinction, familiar from French (savoir/connaître) or German (wissen/kennen), is essential at the CEFR B1 level for choosing the correct verb in context.

The two verbs also differ in their conjugation patterns: tud is typically used with indefinite conjugation (when followed by a clause or infinitive), while ismer commonly takes definite conjugation (since its object is usually a specific person or place). Understanding these patterns helps reinforce the definite/indefinite conjugation system.

How It Works

Tud: Know Facts / Know How To

Use	Example	English
Know a fact	Tudom, hogy hol van.	I know where it is.
Know how to	Tudok úszni.	I can swim.
Can/be able to	Tudok segíteni.	I can help.
Know information	Tudod a számot?	Do you know the number?

Ismer: Know/Be Acquainted With

Use	Example	English
Know a person	Ismerem Pétert.	I know Péter.
Know a place	Ismeri a várost?	Do you know the city?
Be familiar with	Ismerem ezt a könyvet.	I know this book.
Recognize	Nem ismerlek fel.	I don't recognize you.

Key Difference

Tud	Ismer
Factual knowledge	Personal acquaintance
Ability (know how)	Familiarity
+ clause (hogy...)	+ accusative object (person/place)
+ infinitive (úszni, menni)	+ specific, definite object

Conjugation Patterns

Tud often uses indefinite (no specific definite object):

• Tudok úszni. (I can swim — indefinite)
• Tudom, hogy jön. (I know he's coming — definite, hogy-clause)

Ismer almost always uses definite (the object is a known entity):

• Ismerem Pétert. (I know Péter — definite)
• Ismeri a várost? (Do you know the city? — definite)

Examples in Context

Hungarian	English	Note
Tudom, hogy hol van.	I know where it is.	tud + fact
Tudok úszni.	I can swim.	tud + ability
Ismerem Pétert.	I know Péter.	ismer + person
Ismeri a várost?	Do you know the city?	ismer + place
Nem tudom.	I don't know.	tud, response
Nem ismerem.	I don't know him/her/it.	ismer, response
Tudod, hány óra van?	Do you know what time it is?	tud + embedded question
Jól ismeri a környéket.	He knows the area well.	ismer + familiarity
Tudtam, hogy jössz.	I knew you were coming.	tud + past
Régóta ismerem.	I've known him/her for a long time.	ismer + duration

Common Mistakes

Using tud for people

• Wrong: Tudom Pétert. (I know Péter)
• Right: Ismerem Pétert.
• Why: Knowing a person (personal acquaintance) requires ismer, not tud.

Using ismer for facts or abilities

• Wrong: Ismerek úszni. (I know to swim)
• Right: Tudok úszni.
• Why: Abilities and factual knowledge require tud, not ismer.

Mixing up the short responses

• Wrong: Using Nem tudom when asked Ismered Pétert?
• Right: Nem ismerem.
• Why: The response should use the same verb as the question.

Usage Notes

Nem tudom (I don't know) is one of the most commonly spoken phrases in Hungarian. It responds to information questions. Nem ismerem (I don't know him/her/it) responds to acquaintance questions.

Tud also functions as "can/be able to" when combined with an infinitive, overlapping with -hat/-het but implying learned ability rather than circumstantial possibility: Tudok úszni (I can swim — I learned) vs Úszhatok (I may/can swim — I'm allowed/able to right now).

Practice Tips

• Create pairs: Tudod, hogy hol van? (Do you know where it is?) vs Ismered ezt a helyet? (Do you know this place?)
• Practice quick responses: Tudod? — Nem tudom. / Ismered? — Nem ismerem.
• List five things you tud (facts/abilities) and five people/places you ismer.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Present Definite Conjugation — ismer typically uses definite conjugation