Egyrészt betartjuk a házirendet, másrészt nyugalmat kérünk.

They are a paired expression meaning something like:

• on the one hand ... on the other hand
• for one thing ... for another
• sometimes even firstly ... secondly, depending on context

In this sentence, they introduce two parallel points:

• Egyrészt = one point being made
• másrészt = another point being made

They do not have to express a strong contradiction. They often just balance two related considerations.

Usually they are used as a pair, yes, because they signal two sides or two points.

However, in longer speech or writing, one of them may appear when the other point is already understood from the context. Still, for learners, it is best to think of them as a set:

• egyrészt ... másrészt

That is the most common and safest pattern to use.

Because in modern Hungarian it functions as a fixed adverbial/discourse word, not as a freely assembled phrase.

Even though it historically relates to egy rész (one part), in actual usage egyrészt is a single word meaning on the one hand / for one thing.

The same is true of másrészt.

Betartjuk means we keep, we observe, or we comply with.

It can be broken down like this:

• be- = a verbal prefix
• tart = hold / keep
• -juk = we in the definite conjugation

So betartjuk a házirendet means we follow / comply with the house rules.

This is a very common verb with rules, laws, deadlines, promises, and similar things:

• betartani a szabályokat = to follow the rules
• betartani a törvényt = to obey the law

This is a very important Hungarian grammar point: definite vs. indefinite conjugation.

In the first clause:

• betartjuk a házirendet
• The object is a házirendet = the house rules
• Because the object is definite, the verb uses the definite conjugation
• So we get betartjuk

In the second clause:

• nyugalmat kérünk
• The object nyugalmat is indefinite here
• So the verb uses the indefinite conjugation
• Therefore it is kérünk, not kérjük

Compare:

• kérünk valamit = we ask for something
• kérjük a csendet = we ask for the quiet / we request silence

So the difference is not just the verb itself; it depends on the kind of object it has.

Because they are direct objects, and Hungarian marks the direct object with the accusative ending, usually -t.

Here:

• házirend → házirendet
• nyugalom → nyugalmat

So:

• betartjuk mit? → a házirendet
• kérünk mit? → nyugalmat

In English, word order usually shows the object. In Hungarian, the -t ending is a major clue.

Because some Hungarian nouns change their stem slightly before endings are added.

The dictionary form is:

• nyugalom = calm, peace, quiet

But in oblique forms, the stem is effectively nyugalm-, so the accusative is:

• nyugalm + at = nyugalmat

This kind of stem alternation is fairly common in Hungarian. So it is best to learn that:

• nyugalom → nyugalmat

as a normal noun pattern, rather than trying to force a fully regular rule onto it.

Because a házirendet is definite, while nyugalmat is indefinite/general.

a házirendet

This refers to a specific, known set of rules: the house rules of this place.

nyugalmat

This means quiet / peace / calm in a general sense, not a specific previously mentioned quiet.

So Hungarian naturally says:

• betartjuk a házirendet
• nyugalmat kérünk

If you used a nyugalmat, it would sound more like the peace/quiet in some specific, already identified sense, which is not the usual meaning here.

Házirend is a compound noun:

• ház = house
• rend = order, arrangement, rules

But you should not translate it too literally as house order in normal English.

Depending on context, it can mean:

• house rules
• internal rules
• building rules
• rules of the residence / dorm / school / institution

So it is often used for the official rules of a shared place, not just a private family home.

Yes, but it sounds somewhat formal and polite.

Literally it is we request quiet/calm. On a sign or notice, Hungarian often uses we in this polite institutional way.

It suggests:

• please avoid disturbing others
• please keep the area peaceful
• please remain calm/quiet

A more direct sign might say:

• Csendet kérünk. = Please be quiet / Silence, please.

Compared with csendet kérünk, nyugalmat kérünk can feel a little broader: not just silence, but general peace and lack of disturbance.

Both verbs are in the present tense, first person plural:

• betartjuk = we keep / we observe
• kérünk = we ask / we request

This does not necessarily mean a specific group of speakers standing there in person. In notices and formal statements, Hungarian often uses we to speak on behalf of:

• the management
• the residents
• the institution
• the community

So it can sound official and polite.

Yes, Hungarian word order is flexible, but the current order is very natural.

Current version:

• Egyrészt betartjuk a házirendet, másrészt nyugalmat kérünk.

This gives a neutral, well-structured contrast between two points.

The sentence begins each clause with the discourse marker:

• Egyrészt ...
• másrészt ...

That is exactly where you would expect them.

You could rearrange parts of the sentence, but the emphasis would change. For example:

• Egyrészt a házirendet tartjuk be...
• Másrészt nyugalmat kérünk.

That version puts more focus on a házirendet.

For learners, the original sentence is a very good standard model.

Because the sentence contains two coordinated parts:

• Egyrészt betartjuk a házirendet
• másrészt nyugalmat kérünk

The comma separates these two balanced clauses.

With paired expressions like egyrészt ... másrészt, a comma is normal and expected in writing.

No. That is a common misunderstanding for English speakers.

In English, on the one hand ... on the other hand often sounds strongly contrastive. In Hungarian, egyrészt ... másrészt can certainly express contrast, but it can also simply present two related points side by side.

So in this sentence, the meaning is more like:

• for one thing, we follow the house rules
• for another, we ask for quiet

The two points support each other rather than clash with each other.