Áldozatok

Áldozatok is a Hungarian term meaning “victims.” The word denotes persons who suffer harm, injury, or death as a consequence of another person’s actions or of uncontrollable events such as accidents, disasters, or conflicts. The concept is broad and can refer to victims of crime, accidents, natural disasters, war, or abuse. Although it most often applies to humans, in some contexts it can be used for beings that suffer harm. The term emphasizes the sufferer’s status rather than blame for the event.

Etymology and sense have evolved from the root word áldozat, historically linked to sacrifice. Originally tied to ritual offerings, the sense broadened over time to include anyone who endures loss or harm due to others’ actions or unfortunate circumstances. In contemporary usage, áldozat focuses on the experience and rights of the person rather than on responsibility for the incident.

In legal and media contexts, áldozatok is used to categorize individuals affected by harmful events. Common expressions include áldozat (singular) and áldozatok (plural) in cases such as bűncselekmény áldozata (crime victim), baleset áldozata (accident victim), természeti katasztrófa áldozata (victim of a natural disaster), and erőszak áldozata (victim of violence). Reporting and discourse often distinguish between áldozat and túlélő (survivor), depending on the stage of recovery and context. Social and legal frameworks aim to provide support, protection, and, where possible, compensation to áldozatok.