vadász

Vadász is a Hungarian noun meaning hunter. It denotes a person who hunts game and is formed from vad, meaning game or wild, and the occupational suffix -ász, which marks a practitioner. In addition to its use for the individual, the term appears in historical and cultural contexts referring to the activity of hunting in Hungary.

Historically, hunting was an important social practice in Hungary, especially among the nobility, where deer parks and royal hunts were part of court life. Rural communities also relied on hunting for food and livelihood, and the craft contributed to forest management and wildlife knowledge. In modern times, hunting is governed by national laws that regulate seasons, licensing, training, and safety standards, with emphasis on conservation and animal welfare.

Vadász also functions as a Hungarian surname. As an occupational surname, it reflects the historical association with hunting and is found among Hungarian-speaking populations and in diaspora communities. The related adjective vadászati pertains to hunting, as in vadászati jog (hunting rights) or vadászati eszközök (hunting tools).