Cikán

Czech

Etymology

Possibly from an Ancient Greek term meaning "untouchable"; compare the modern Greek designations Τσιγγάνοι (Tsingánoi), Αθίγγανοι (Athínganoi). Cognates include Hungarian cigány, English tzigane, Italian zigano, Portuguese cigano, Polish Cygan, Russian цыган, German Zigeuner, and Spanish cíngaro.

Noun

Cikán m

1. A Gypsy, a Romani.

Usage notes

• The term Cikán/cikán is often intentionally derogatory and is therefore considered racist by many. Consequently, careful speakers use the term Rom instead. Cikán is still the prevailing term in informal Czech and in historical usage, however.

Synonyms

• cikán
• Rom

References