bøke

Béke is the Hungarian word for peace. It denotes both the absence of war and violence and a broader sense of harmony and concord within a society, a community, or between individuals. In political and international contexts, béke refers to negative peace (the cessation of hostilities) and positive peace (a stable, just, and inclusive social order).

In everyday and official Hungarian usage, béke appears in terms such as békeszerződés (peace treaty) and fegyverszünet (ceasefire). When wars end, public and media discourse often speaks of béke after negotiations and agreements, for example békeszerződés megkötése. The word also covers private life, where families or communities seek béke and harmony.

Historically, béke has been central in Hungary's diplomacy, national memory, and culture. It is used to describe end-of-conflict treaties and to express spiritual or inner serenity in religious and literary contexts.

The precise linguistic origins of béke are uncertain. The word is ancient in Hungarian, and its etymology is debated among linguists. It has been part of the language since medieval times and remains common in modern usage.

As a core concept, béke appears in diplomacy, law, education, media, and everyday speech, reflecting both political aims and personal well-being.