Ismeretség

Ismeretség is a Hungarian noun meaning familiarity or acquaintance. It denotes the state of knowing someone or something at a basic, non-expert level and can refer to social ties that are stronger than mere awareness but weaker than friendship. Ismeretség often arises through casual contact, work, school, or shared activities. In everyday language it can refer to a specific acquaintance, as in the phrase, “van néhány ismeretségem Ottóval” (I have some acquaintances with Otto).

The term also has a cognitive sense, describing a basic familiarity with a subject or language, rather than deep mastery. For example, one might have ismeret a nyelvről or ismeretség a témáról, indicating a surface-level knowledge or awareness.

In sociology and network theory, ismeretség is viewed as a form of social capital generated by casual connections that can facilitate access to information or resources. It is typically less stable and intimate than friendship, yet easier to form and maintain. The degree of ismeretség can range from brief recognition to regular, but not close, contact.

Etymology-wise, ismeretség is formed from the root ismer (to know) with the abstract noun suffix -ség. The term is generally neutral in tone; in some contexts it can imply superficiality, whereas in others it simply marks a standard level of familiarity. It contrasts with ismeret and tudás (knowledge about topics) and with barátság (friendship), which denotes closer personal bonds.