Csengés

Csengés is a Hungarian noun that denotes a ringing or chiming sound. It describes the clear, resonant noise produced by bells, clocks, alarms, telephones, and other instruments capable of emitting a sustained or short peal. The term can be used for natural or mechanical sound sources and is common in everyday language as well as in literary contexts.

Etymology and form: csengés is formed from the verb cseng, meaning to ring or chime, with the abstract noun suffix -és. Related words include csengő, meaning bell or ringing device, and csengő hang, a ringing sound. The expression is versatile and can refer to both specific sounds and more general auditory impressions.

Usage: In ordinary speech, csengés is used to name the audible event of a ring or peal, such as the bell of a church or the sound of a phone. It can also appear in descriptive or poetic contexts to convey a sense of resonance or continuity of sound. Metaphorically, csengés may be used to evoke memories or associations that “ring” in the mind, although this usage is more literary and less tied to a physical sound.

See also: csengő, csengőhang, hang, zaj.

Note: While csengés commonly refers to external sounds, in Hungarian everyday language it is primarily about audible ringing, rather than a medical condition.