szevasz

Szevasz is a Hungarian informal greeting. It is derived from the Latin word "servus," meaning "servant" or "slave." The word was adopted into Hungarian and evolved into a common way to say hello or goodbye, particularly among friends and acquaintances. It is similar in usage to informal greetings in other languages, such as "hi" or "bye" in English. The greeting can be used in both spoken and written informal communication.

The origin of "servus" as a greeting can be traced back to the practice of a servant greeting their master with deference. Over time, however, the term lost its literal meaning of subservience and became a general salutation, especially in Central and Eastern European cultures. In Hungarian, "szevasz" maintains this informal and friendly connotation. It is typically used among peers, younger people, or in very casual settings. Using "szevasz" in a formal situation would generally be considered inappropriate. The word's pronunciation is approximately "seh-vahs."