kezét csókolom
Hungarian
Hungarian phrasebook
| This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness. For other Hungarian entries on this topic, see Greetings. |
Alternative forms
Etymology
Calque of German küss’ die Hand (“I kiss your hand”), a once common greeting in Austria-Hungary accompanied by a kiss on the hand.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [ˈkɛzeːtt͡ʃoːkolom]
Phrase
- (dated, formal) hello (see usage notes)
Usage notes
This form of greeting is exclusively reserved for situations where a kiss on the hand would have been appropriate in the olden days: that is, it is only said by men to women, and unlike csókolom, it is used towards young and old women alike. In this context, it is considered a very polite form of greeting.