csésze

Csésze is the Hungarian term for a cup or mug designed for drinking hot beverages. In everyday use, a csésze is a small, handle-equipped vessel, usually made of ceramic or porcelain, and often used together with a saucer called a tal. The word covers various subtypes, including teáscsésze (tea cup) and kávéscsésze (coffee cup), and can refer to both practical everyday ware and more formal sets.

Etymology and history

The term csésze is a loanword in Hungarian, commonly linked to the German Tasse. It entered Hungarian vocabulary in the early modern period and has since become the standard word for a drinking cup with a handle. The spelling reflects Hungarian phonology, with cs pronounced as a voiceless postalveolar affricate.

Materials and design

Csészek are produced in a range of materials, with porcelain, fine ceramic, glass, and metal among common choices. They come in various shapes and sizes, from small demitasse cups used for strong coffee to larger teacups intended for tea. A typical csésze may be used with a matching saucer and sometimes features decorative patterns or reliefs, especially in traditional or ceremonial sets.

Sizes and usage

Typical capacities vary: demitasse cups hold about 60–100 ml, while teáscsésze and kávéscsésze commonly range from roughly 120–240 ml. In households and cafés, csészék are used for serving beverages like tea and coffee, often as part of a coordinated set. In formal dining, the csésze-tál pairing is a standard presentation.

See also

Coffee cup, Teacup, Tableware.