Szolgálatban

Szolgálatban is a Hungarian adverbial form of the noun szolgálat, meaning on duty or in service. It denotes that a person or unit is currently performing official duties, typically within military, police, fire and rescue, or other public-service contexts. The inessive suffix -ban/-ben marks a state or location, so szolgálatban translates roughly as “in service” or “on duty.”

Common usage is found across security and public-service domains. In the military and law enforcement, a soldier or officer can be described as szolgálatban when stationed at their post or when they are on a duty shift; the phrase can appear as “szolgálatban van” or, in a slightly more formal register, “szolgálatban áll.” In civilian administration and public services, employees may be described as szolgálatban while performing official tasks, such as during shifts, emergencies, or on-call duty.

Nuances of the term include an emphasis on presence, readiness, or operational status. Being szolgálatban can imply that personnel are available for duty and ready to act, particularly in urgent situations. Conversely, phrases like szolgálaton kívül or pihenő indicate time off, rest, or absence from duties.

See also: szolgálat, szolgálatba, szolgálati idő. These related terms cover the general concept of duty, posting, and the time personnel spend in service.