szerény

Szerény is a Hungarian adjective meaning modest or humble. It is used to describe people who are unassuming, or things that are simple or modest in scale. The word can function attributively, as in "szerény ember" (a modest person), or predicatively, as in "Ő szerény" (He is humble). The noun form is szerénység, meaning humility or modesty.

Origin: The exact etymology of szerény is not definitively established. It is considered a native Hungarian term with parallels to notions of restraint and modesty across the language. The primary related noun is szerénység.

Usage and nuance: Szerény conveys modesty in behavior, possessions, or achievements. It can imply a reserved, unpretentious stance rather than false humility. Common expressions include "szerény anyagi lehetőségek" (modest financial means) and "szerényen élni" (to live modestly).

In translations and discourse, szerény is often rendered as modest or humble; as a virtue, szerénység appears in religious and moral discussions. In literature, the term can describe characters who refrain from boasting.