Tisztességtelen

Tisztességtelen is a Hungarian adjective meaning dishonest, unethical, or unfair, used to describe actions, conduct, or practices that violate accepted ethical norms or standards. The term carries a negative evaluative connotation and is commonly employed in everyday language, journalism, ethics discussions, and legal or regulatory contexts to condemn behavior that is regarded as lacking integrity or decency.

Etymology and sense: tisztesség means decency, honesty, or integrity, and the suffix -telen denotes negation or without. Thus tisztességtelen literally conveys “without decency,” but idiomatically it denotes behavior that falls short of ethical expectations or fairness.

Usage: The word can describe individuals or acts, for example tisztességtelen magatartás (dishonest conduct), tisztességtelen döntés (unfair decision), or tisztességtelen kereskedelmi gyakorlat (unfair commercial practice). It is widely used in discussions about ethics, workplace behavior, journalism, and public discourse, sometimes reflecting personal judgement and sometimes pointing to normative standards.

Legal and regulatory context: In Hungarian and European law, tisztességtelen kereskedelmi gyakorlat or tisztességtelen verseny are terms connected to consumer protection and competition law. These phrases describe practices deemed unfair or misleading to consumers or competitors and can trigger enforcement actions by authorities or remedies under applicable statutes and directives.

See also: ethical standards, integrity, fairness, unfair competition, unfair commercial practices.