Hungarian

Hungarian is a term that can refer to Hungary's nationality, its language, and its culture. The word is used for people who identify as Hungarian or Magyars, for the language they speak, and for the cultural traditions associated with Hungary. The term can also denote things arising from or related to Hungary.

Language: The Hungarian language, called Magyar by its speakers, is a Uralic language in the Finno-Ugric branch. It is not closely related to the neighboring Indo-European languages. It uses a Latin-based alphabet with diacritics and is highly inflected, employing extensive suffixation and vowel harmony. It is the official language of Hungary and is spoken in parts of Romania (Transylvania), Slovakia, Serbia, Ukraine, and by diaspora communities worldwide.

People and culture: Ethnically, Hungarians (Magyars) trace their origins to the Carpathian Basin, where the Kingdom of Hungary emerged in the Middle Ages. Hungarian literature, music, cuisine, and folk traditions form a distinctive cultural sphere. Prominent composers, writers, and traditions are part of the modern cultural landscape of Hungary and its global community.

Usage and demographics: In Hungary, Hungarian is the predominant language and national language. There are substantial Hungarian-speaking minority communities in neighboring countries, including Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, and Ukraine. Worldwide there is a Hungarian-speaking diaspora that maintains language and culture abroad.