betegek

Betegek is a Hungarian noun meaning "the sick" or "patients." It is the plural form of beteg, used to refer to people who are ill, whether temporarily or chronically. The term is common in medical, administrative, and everyday language.

Etymology and form: The word derives from beteg, an adjective meaning ill. As a noun, beteg denotes a sick person, and betegek is its plural. With the definite article, the phrase "a betegek" means "the patients."

Usage and connotations: Betegek can identify a group defined by illness. It is generally neutral and clinical; in some contexts, particularly medical or administrative, it is preferred over more personal terms. In modern Hungarian, the loanword páciens is also used to mean patient, often in formal medical discourse.

Examples and contexts: In hospitals, patient lists and national health statistics may refer to betegek; in public campaigns, the term may appear when discussing patient rights, access to care, or disease prevalence.

See also: beteg, páciens, betegség.