idegen

Idegen is a Hungarian word that functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it means foreign or unfamiliar, describing objects, ideas, or places that do not belong to the speaker’s own country or group. As a noun, idegen can refer to a person who is not from the local community, i.e., a stranger or foreigner. The term is widely used in everyday language as well as in formal writing.

In everyday Hungarian, idegen appears in many common phrases. Idegen nyelv denotes a foreign language, while idegen szó refers to a loanword borrowed from another language. Idegenvezető is a compound meaning a tour guide, typically one who leads visitors from outside the country. Idegenforgalom describes tourism and the activity surrounding visitors from abroad. These compounds illustrate how idegen functions across contexts related to people, languages, and cultural exchange.

The term can carry different connotations depending on context and tone. In neutral usage, idegen simply describes something foreign or unfamiliar. In social or political discourse, it may reflect attitudes toward outsiders, immigration, or integration, and can range from neutral to pejorative depending on framing and intent.

See also: külföldi (foreigner), idegen nyelv (foreign language), idegen szó (loanword), idegenforgalom (tourism), xenophobia.