szombat

Szombat is the Hungarian word for Saturday, the sixth day of the week in the Gregorian calendar. In most European conventions the week starts on Monday, making szombat the second-to-last day of the standard workweek and part of the weekend. The term szombat is derived from the Hebrew Shabbat (Sabbath) and entered Hungarian through Latin sabbatum, with cognates found in many European languages that reflect the Sabbath observance.

In religious contexts, szombat is associated with the Sabbath in Judaism, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening as a day of rest and worship. In many Christian traditions, the Sabbath has historical significance, though most Christians in contemporary practice observe Sunday as a weekly holy day rather than Saturday. In Hungarian usage, szombat by itself typically refers to the secular Saturday, while phrases like a zsidó szombat can be used to denote the Jewish Sabbath.

Culturally, szombat is often a day for leisure, shopping, family activities, and recreation. In modern Hungary, many people use Saturdays for markets, social events, sports, and cultural programs, though the level of business activity and school or work schedules can vary by region and season. The day complements vasárnap, Sunday, in the rhythm of weekly life.