Well, I was genuinely shocked by how many generations seem to be familiar with fluent English in Budapest and not only there, but I’m the villages I had the chance to visit too. So, with English you can get pretty much everywhere as long as you remember the sweet words “ Köszönöm” ( thank you) and “Szia” ( hello).
I was doing grocery shopping at this mall next to the AIT Building, and I couldn’t find the word for onions in the scale system. An old couple approached and helped me. They spoke good English too and it was a very brief but kind interaction. However, sometimes pulling Google Translate in food products is useful as some local products do not contain a translation in English. Tofu, or some chocolate bars do not have an English translation so Google Translate has been saving my life in such situations.
Another situation where you kind of have to play it by ear and pay attention to the announcements are the bus and train stops. They are mainly in Hungarian.
What I have found useful so far is having to take Hungarian I, which has taught me all the basic words to get away with the language barrier I may encounter.
One other thing I figured is that if you are kind enough to Hungarian and express effort to learn their language, they will help you dearly and caringly. So, while on your semester abroad do take some time off and spare some for Hungarian lessons.
The professors, landlord, people at the SuperMarket, coffee shops , library, AIT staff, they all communicate in fluent English.
Some useful vocabulary:
Greetings:
Szia: Hi
Jó napot/reggelt/estét: Good morning/afternoon/evening
Viszlát: Goodbye
Basic Communication:
Igen/Nem: Yes/No
Köszönöm: Thank you
Kérlek: Please
Beszélsz angolul?: Do you speak English?
Nem értem: I don’t understand
Mennyibe kerül?: How much is it
Directions and Navigation:
Hol van…?: Where is…?
Merre van…?: Which way is…?
Balra/jobbra: Left/right
Megérkeztem: I arrived
Eltévedtem: I’m lost (Always keep google maps on just in case this actually happens)
Shopping:
Szeretnék…: I would like…
Nagy/kicsi: Big/small
Drága/olcsó: Expensive/cheap