Tanítok

Tanítók is the plural form of tanító, a Hungarian noun meaning teacher or instructor. The word is built from the verb tanít, “to teach,” with the agentive suffix -ó; the plural is tanítók. In use, tanító is gender-neutral and can refer to a person who teaches in various contexts.

In contemporary Hungarian, tanítók most commonly refer to teachers in primary education who serve as class teachers, guiding a particular grade and delivering instruction across several subjects. In many contexts, however, the term tanár is more common for teachers at secondary and higher levels. The word tanító can also denote private tutors or instructors outside the formal school system, such as music or language tutors.

Historically, tanítók have included personal tutors in noble households and informal educators in local communities. While the exact duties have varied over time, the core sense is someone who imparts knowledge or skills. In everyday speech, the term can carry affectionate or respectful connotations, for example tanító néni (teacher aunt) or tanító bácsi (teacher uncle) when addressing primary-school staff.

Related terms include tanítás (teaching or instruction), tanítvány (pupil or student educated by a specific teacher), and tanár (teacher, a broader term often used for secondary and higher education). The distinction between tanító and tanár reflects traditional roles within the Hungarian education system and everyday language.