szokást

Szokás is a Hungarian noun meaning habit or custom. It refers to regular, repeated behavior of an individual or a group, and to social or cultural practices that are typical for a community. When the habit or custom is the direct object of a verb, the form szokást is used; for example, szokást can appear in sentences such as “Új szokást vett fel,” meaning that someone adopted a new habit.

The word szokás can denote personal routines (daily habits, ways of acting) as well as broader cultural traditions (family rituals, regional customs). It also appears in legal and sociological language as szokásjog, meaning customary or unwritten law. Common collocations include szokás szerint (as usual), helyi szokások (local customs), and szokások betartása (observance of habits or customs).

Etymology and grammar: szokás originates from a Hungarian verb meaning to become accustomed, and over time came to denote the concept of a habit or customary practice. In inflected form, szokás changes to szokást in the accusative singular; other forms include szokásokat (accusative plural) and szokásban (in a habit, in a custom). This noun has no gender and follows standard Hungarian noun declension patterns.

Usage notes: szokás is versatile, covering personal behavior as well as collective traditions. It is common in both everyday speech and formal writing. Distinctions between szokás and related terms such as rutin (routine) or hagyomány (tradition) depend on context: szokás emphasizes regularity and personal or social practice, while hagyomány often refers to longer-standing cultural heritage.

Examples: “Új szokást vett fel.” “Ő követte a családi szokást.” “A családban fontos a szokás szerint együtt vacsorázni.”