Gyanakvás

Gyanakvás is a Hungarian noun meaning suspicion or mistrust, describing a cautious, doubtful attitude toward a person, statement, or situation. It denotes a stance that questions motives or the veracity of claims rather than accepting them at face value. The term is commonly used in everyday language, as well as in journalism, politics, and psychology, to convey skepticism or the need for further evidence.

In discourse, gyanakvás can arise from incomplete information, conflicting data, or past experiences that condition skepticism. It is often expressed in contexts such as reactions to official announcements, controversial decisions, or unexpected events. Typical usage includes phrases like “The announcement was received with gyanakvás” or “There is growing gyanakvás about the motives behind the policy.”

Related terms include gyanú (suspicion), kétely (doubt), and bizalmatlanság (mistrust). Gyanakvás contrasts with trust and confidence, forming part of a spectrum of attitudes toward information and others’ actions. The concept is not a technical term in psychology but is widely used in qualitative discourse to characterize a cautious interpretive stance.

See also: gyanú; kétely; bizalmatlanság; bizalom.

Note: The term is of Hungarian origin and is primarily used in Hungarian-language contexts.