ász

Ész is a Hungarian noun that denotes the mind, intellect, or sense. It can refer to the cognitive faculties that underlie perception, reasoning, and judgment, as well as to everyday common sense. In standard usage, ész emphasizes internal mental processes rather than specific knowledge or information.

In daily speech, ész appears in several common expressions. For example, jár az esze is used to describe someone who is quick-witted or perceptive, while nincs esze or nincs az esze is used to imply that someone lacks sense or prudence. The term is often contrasted with more concrete terms for knowledge (tudás) or information, highlighting its focus on cognitive abilities rather than content.

Etymology and history: ész is a native Hungarian word with a long-standing presence in the language. While precise etymological details are debated, it is generally considered to belong to native Hungarian stock rather than borrowed from neighboring languages. The word appears in medieval and early modern Hungarian texts and remains common in contemporary usage.

In philosophy and linguistics, ész is used to refer to the mind as an active faculty, sometimes in discussions of consciousness, rationality, or decision-making, as opposed to physical processes or external stimuli.

See also: common sense; mind; cognition; Hungarian language.