pásztázni

"Pásztázni" is a Hungarian verb meaning "to scan" or "to sweep," often used in contexts involving thorough or systematic searching. The term originates from the Hungarian word *pásztáz*, which refers to the action of sweeping or skimming across a surface, akin to the motion of a shepherd’s crook (*pásztapálca*) moving through a field. In modern usage, the verb has expanded beyond its literal agricultural roots to encompass a variety of search-related activities.

In everyday language, *pásztázni* can describe scanning an area for specific objects or individuals, such as searching a room for lost items or patrolling a neighborhood for suspicious activity. It is also commonly used in digital contexts, particularly in cybersecurity and software development, where it refers to scanning systems, networks, or code for vulnerabilities, errors, or malicious content. For example, a programmer might *pásztázni* their codebase for syntax errors, while a security professional might *pásztázni* a network for unauthorized access attempts.

The verb is versatile and appears in both literal and metaphorical senses. In a broader sense, it can imply a cursory but deliberate examination, such as reviewing a document for key points or assessing a situation for potential risks. The term reflects Hungary’s linguistic tendency to derive verbs from concrete actions, often with practical or occupational origins. While *pásztázni* is not as widely recognized outside Hungarian-speaking regions, its usage highlights the language’s expressive capacity for describing methodical search processes.