kölykök

Kölykök is the plural form of kölyök, a Hungarian noun used to denote a young animal or a young person. In everyday usage it refers to offspring in general, especially the young of mammals such as dogs, cats, and other animals, but it can also be used affectionately for children or youngsters. The term often carries a sense of smallness, playfulness, or energy.

In zoological and colloquial contexts, kölykök is commonly used with animal subjects: for example, a dog may have kölykei, and a cat’s kölykök are described as exploring the surroundings. When referring to humans, kölykök appears mainly in informal speech or literary style, where it can evoke warmth or humor toward children or younger people. Phrases such as “a kölykök futkároznak a kertben” illustrate its use for animals, while “a család legkisebb kölykkei” can refer to the youngest family members in a light-hearted way.

Etymology is not definitively settled in contemporary Hungarian scholarship. The origin of kölyök is debated, and while some theories suggest historical connections to older Hungarian forms or borrowings from neighboring languages, there is no universally accepted single source.

Overall, kölykök is a flexible, informal term in Hungarian that covers both animal offspring and youthful humans, with connotations of endearment and liveliness. It contrasts with more formal terms for offspring or children and is widely understood across Hungarian-speaking communities.