Kívánás

Kívánás is a Hungarian noun that denotes the act or state of desiring something: a wish, longing, or request. It can refer to a private feeling of longing as well as to a formal appeal made to someone else. The sense ranges from everyday yearnings to more elevated, aspirational or ceremonial uses.

Etymology and related terms: The word is formed from the verb kíván ('to desire, to wish, to request') with the nominalizing suffix -ás. It is closely related to kívánság, another common noun meaning 'wish' or 'request'. The distinction between kívánás and kívánság is subtle and often depends on register: kívánás is more likely to appear in literary or formal contexts, while kívánság is the usual term for a concrete wish or polite request.

Usage and nuance: In literary language, kívánás can express existential longing or aspirational striving. In everyday Hungarian, speakers more commonly use kívánság for a specific wish or compliment, such as 'kívánságot teljesíteni' (to fulfill a wish) or 'kívánságot mondani' (to express a wish). The term may also appear in religious or ceremonial writing, where wishes or prayers are described as kívánságok.