Tiszteljen

Tiszteljen is a Hungarian verb form meaning “please respect” or “honor,” used as a polite command or request. It is the formal (polite) imperative form of the verb tisztelni, which means to respect or to honor. The form is typically employed when addressing a single person in a formal context.

In Hungarian, imperative forms vary by formality and number. Tiszteljen is used for a single addressee in formal address. The informal singular imperative is tisztelj, the informal plural is tiszteljetek, and the formal plural is tiszteljenek. The word tisztelt, a related participle meaning “esteemed,” is common in formal addresses and written communication (for example, tisztelt Hölgyeim és Uraim, “Esteemed ladies and gentlemen”).

Typical usage and examples include polite requests or instructions, such as: Kérem, tiszteljen meg a jelenlétével, vagy Kérem, tiszteljen bennünket a megbeszélésen. In such contexts, the speaker seeks acknowledgment, courtesy, or formal respect from the addressee. The form conveys respect and a formal tone appropriate for business, official correspondence, or ceremonial settings.

Related terms include tisztelet (respect, esteem) and tisztelt (esteemed), which appear in nominal or honorific phrases. Tiszteljen stands as a key example of Hungarian politeness strategy in verb form.