eszköz

Eszköz is a Hungarian noun meaning tool, instrument, device, or means. It denotes something used to achieve a task or purpose, ranging from a simple hand tool to complex machinery, and it can also refer to resources or methods employed to accomplish goals. The term is widely used across everyday language, science, technology, and economics.

The sense of eszköz is broader than related terms such as szerszám and műszer. Szerszám typically refers to a hand tool used directly in manual work, while műszer designates an instrument or gauge, often with measurement capabilities. Eszköz encompasses both tangible devices and more abstract means, including instruments or systems that enable activities, as well as figurative uses like financial eszköz (instrument) or policy tool.

In economics and accounting, eszköz functions as a category name for assets. Tárgyi eszközök are tangible assets such as machines, vehicles, and buildings, while immateriális eszközök are intangible assets like software licenses and patents. The term can also describe organizational resources or capital in a broader sense.

In technology and computing, eszköz commonly refers to devices or hardware components. Typical phrases include bemeneti eszköz (input device), kimeneti eszköz (output device), and tárolóeszköz (storage device).

Etymology is generally treated as Hungarian in origin with a long historical presence; the exact roots are not universally agreed upon in standard sources. The word is regarded as native to Hungarian, distinct from obvious loanwords, and its usage has evolved in parallel with changes in science, industry, and daily life.