szemtartás

Szemtartás is a Hungarian term referring to the act or state of maintaining eye contact or regulating one’s gaze during interpersonal interaction. It encompasses how a person looks at others, including direction, duration, and intensity of gaze, and how this contributes to the overall impression in a conversation or performance.

Etymology and usage: The word combines szem (eye) and tartás (holding or maintenance). In everyday language, szemtartás denotes the practice of keeping a gaze on someone during dialogue, as well as the broader presence conveyed by one’s eyes. It can be used literally to describe eye contact or metaphorically to describe the impression a person’s gaze creates.

Social and communicative aspects: Eye contact is a key nonverbal cue in communication. Appropriate szemtartás can signal attention, confidence, and engagement, while abrupt or excessive gaze can be interpreted as disinterest, intimidation, or discomfort. Cultural norms influence the preferred duration and manner of eye contact, and individuals may adapt their szemtartás to social context, setting, and relationship to the other person.

Applications and contexts: In education, business, and public speaking, deliberate szemtartás helps direct audience attention and convey sincerity. In acting or media, directors may guide an actor’s gaze to reinforce character traits or narrative emphasis. Training in szemtartás often involves balancing natural eye movement with intentional gaze to support communication goals.

See also: Nonverbal communication, eye contact, gaze, cultural norms of gaze.