jutalom

Jutalom is a native Hungarian noun meaning something received in return for merit, effort, or service. It denotes a reward or compensation and can be monetary, such as a cash prize or bonus, or non-monetary, such as praise, recognition, or privileges.

It is used in a variety of contexts, including competitions, work performance programs, and informal situations where behavior is reinforced. In everyday language it often appears with verbs like kap (to receive), ad (to grant), or jutalmaz (to reward). A common compound is jutalomfalat, meaning a treat given as a reward, frequently in animal training.

Jutalom is distinct from díj, which also means prize but is generally tied to a competition or award by an institution; and from kártérítés, which covers compensation for damages. Jutalmazás refers to the act of rewarding, while a reward itself is referred to by jutalom. The term also appears in legal or commercial language to describe incentive payments or bonuses as part of a contract.

The word is a well-established part of Hungarian vocabulary and remains common in contemporary usage, spanning everyday language, media, and formal writing. Related terms include díj (prize/award), jutalmazás (rewarding), and jutalék (commission).