Cikán
Czech
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editPossibly from an Ancient Greek term meaning "untouchable"; compare the modern Greek designations Τσιγγάνοι (Tsingánoi), Αθίγγανοι (Athínganoi).[1][2][3] Cognates include Hungarian cigány, English tzigane, Italian zigano, Portuguese cigano, Polish Cygan, Russian цыган (cygan), German Zigeuner, and Spanish cíngaro.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editCikán m anim (female equivalent Cikánka)
Usage notes
edit- The term Cikán/cikán is often intentionally derogatory and is therefore considered racist by some. Consequently, careful speakers use the term Rom instead. Cikán is still the prevailing term in informal Czech and in historical usage, however.