gypsy
gb/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/ us/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/
B2
Englisch
roma, vándor, szabad szellem, bohém, romani, boho, vándorol
NOMEN
B2
1
roma
A2
Verwendungsmuster:
[a gypsy]; [Gypsy people/community]
Many style guides recommend using “Roma” or “Romani” instead of “gypsy,” because the older term can be offensive.
Sok nyelvi útmutató a „roma” vagy a „romani” használatát javasolja a „cigány” helyett, mert a régebbi megnevezés sértő lehet.
The museum worked with Romani community members to avoid stereotypical language such as “gypsy.”
A múzeum roma közösségek tagjaival dolgozott együtt, hogy elkerülje az olyan sztereotip nyelvezetet, mint a „cigány”.
She asked us to use “Romani,” not “gypsy,” when talking about her background.
Beispiele für Lernende
Some people find the word “gypsy” offensive.
Vannak, akik sértőnek találják a „cigány” szót.
Many people say “Roma” or “Romani” instead.
Sokan inkább azt mondják, hogy „roma” vagy „romani”.
Häufiger Fehler:
Using it as a neutral label for Roma/Romani people; also confusing the spelling gypsy/gipsy.
Bedeutung
Romani person (often offensive term)
Wortverbindungen
Gypsy community
|Gypsy family
|Gypsy culture
|Gypsy and Traveller sites
|Gypsy Traveller
|Romani Gypsies (often avoided)
|Gypsy rights
|Gypsy history
Synonyme
Romani (Preferred and more respectful term.)
|
Roma (Common preferred term, especially in Europe.)
Themen
people
|culture
|society
Definition
a Romani person (but many people find this word offensive)
A person belonging to the Romani ethnic group; in modern English this word is often considered offensive, and many people prefer Roma or Romani.
NOMEN
B2
INFORMAL
2
vándor
B1
Verwendungsmuster:
[a gypsy]; [a gypsy life/lifestyle]
After college he drifted from job to job, calling himself a gypsy, though the label can sound stereotyped.
Az egyetem után egyik munkából sodródott a másikba, és „cigánynak” nevezte magát, bár ez a megjelölés sztereotipnek hangozhat.
She didn’t want to settle down and joked about living a gypsy life for a few years.
Nem akart letelepedni, és viccelődve azt mondta, hogy néhány évig „cigányéletet” fog élni.
The novel portrays its hero as a restless traveler, described as a “gypsy” in a romanticized way.
Beispiele für Lernende
He travels a lot and never stays long.
Sokat utazik, és sehol sem marad sokáig.
Some people call that a “gypsy life,” but it can sound stereotyped.
Néhányan ezt „cigányéletnek” nevezik, de ez sztereotipnek hangozhat.
Häufiger Fehler:
Using it to describe real ethnic groups or communities; it can sound insulting or stereotyped.
Bedeutung
person living a nomadic life
Wortverbindungen
a gypsy life
|a gypsy lifestyle
|a gypsy existence
|a gypsy at heart
|a gypsy camp (stereotyped)
|a wandering gypsy (stereotyped)
Synonyme
nomad (More neutral; focuses on traveling lifestyle.)
|
wanderer (Emphasizes moving around; not tied to ethnicity.)
Antonyme
settler (Someone who lives permanently in one place.)
|
homebody (Someone who prefers staying at home.)
Themen
travel
|lifestyle
|society
Definition
someone who keeps traveling and does not live in one place (often a stereotype)
A person who travels from place to place and does not have a permanent home; this use is often romanticized or negative and can be offensive because it draws on stereotypes.
NOMEN
B2
INFORMAL
3
bohém
B1
Verwendungsmuster:
[be] a (bit of a) gypsy; [a] city gypsy
She’s a bit of a gypsy—she changes cities whenever she feels like it.
Kicsit szabad szellem: mindig akkor vált várost, amikor kedve tartja.
He described himself as a “gypsy” because he hates routine and loves meeting new people.
Azt mondta magáról, hogy „cigány”, mert utálja a rutint, és szeret új embereket megismerni.
They joked that their friend is a gypsy at heart, always looking for the next adventure.
Beispiele für Lernende
She is a free spirit.
Ő szabad szellem.
He says he is a “gypsy” because he never stays in one place.
Azt mondja, „cigány”, mert sosem marad egy helyben.
Häufiger Fehler:
Using it as a compliment without realizing it may be culturally sensitive for some people.
Bedeutung
free-spirited, unconventional person
Wortverbindungen
a bit of a gypsy
|a gypsy at heart
|a real gypsy
|a city gypsy
|a modern gypsy
Synonyme
bohemian (Often used for an artistic, unconventional lifestyle.)
|
free spirit (More direct and generally safer wording.)
Antonyme
conformist (Someone who follows conventional rules and habits.)
|
homebody (Someone who prefers staying at home.)
Themen
personality
|lifestyle
|relationships
Definition
a free spirit who doesn’t like fixed routines
A person who lives freely and unconventionally, often moving between places or groups; this figurative use can still be criticized for relying on stereotypes.
C1
4
Verwendungsmuster:
gypsy [culture/language/music]
The course focuses on Romani history rather than using the older label “gypsy.”
A kurzus a roma történelemre összpontosít, és nem a régebbi „cigány” megnevezést használja.
The exhibit includes Romani music and storytelling traditions that are sometimes described as “gypsy.”
A kiállítás roma zenét és történetmesélési hagyományokat mutat be, amelyeket néha „cigány”-ként emlegetnek.
She studies the Romani language, which older sources may call “Gypsy.”
Beispiele für Lernende
It is better to say “Romani culture.”
Jobb azt mondani, hogy „roma kultúra”.
Häufiger Fehler:
Using it in formal writing where “Romani” is more appropriate; assuming it is always neutral.
Bedeutung
relating to Romani people
Wortverbindungen
Gypsy culture
|Gypsy language
|Gypsy music
|Gypsy traditions
|Gypsy communities
|Gypsy history
Synonyme
Romani (More current and generally preferred.)
Themen
culture
|language
|society
Definition
connected to Romani people (often better to say “Romani”)
Relating to the Romani people, their culture, or their languages; the term itself may be considered offensive, so Romani is often preferred.
B2
INFORMAL
5
Verwendungsmuster:
gypsy [style/look/skirt/dress]
She wore a long, gypsy-style skirt with boots.
Hosszú, bohém stílusú szoknyát viselt csizmával.
The photos had a relaxed, gypsy look—scarves, layers, and bright patterns.
A fotóknak laza, boho hangulatuk volt: sálak, rétegek és élénk minták.
Some brands now avoid “gypsy” in product names and use “boho” instead.
Beispiele für Lernende
She likes boho clothes.
Szereti a boho ruhákat.
He bought a gypsy-style scarf.
Vett egy bohém stílusú sálat.
Häufiger Fehler:
Using it in marketing or fashion contexts without realizing it can be culturally sensitive for some people.
Bedeutung
bohemian or nomadic in style
Wortverbindungen
gypsy style
|gypsy look
|gypsy dress
|gypsy skirt
|gypsy blouse
|gypsy jewelry
|gypsy earrings
Synonyme
bohemian (More neutral and common in fashion contexts.)
|
boho (Very common informal short form in fashion.)
Antonyme
formal (Not casual or bohemian in style.)
|
conventional (Not unconventional or ‘boho’.)
Themen
fashion
|arts
|lifestyle
Definition
bohemian-looking; not formal
Describing a style that looks informal, colorful, or ‘bohemian,’ associated with travel and freedom; some people avoid this wording because it can draw on stereotypes.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
6
vándorol
B1
Verwendungsmuster:
gypsy (around) [place/region]
They spent their twenties gypsying around the country in a van.
A húszas éveikben egy furgonnal járták az országot, egyik helyről a másikra vándorolva.
After the breakup, he gypsied from job to job for a while.
A szakítás után egy ideig egyik munkából a másikba vándorolt.
She joked that she had been gypsying around Europe all summer.
Beispiele für Lernende
We traveled around for months.
Hónapokig utazgattunk egyik helyről a másikra.
Häufiger Fehler:
Overusing it instead of common verbs like travel, move around, or backpack.
Bedeutung
travel around from place to place
Wortverbindungen
gypsy around
|gypsy through Europe
|gypsy up and down the coast
|gypsy from town to town
Synonyme
roam (Common and neutral.)
|
wander (Common and neutral; emphasizes no fixed route.)
Antonyme
settle (To start living permanently in one place.)
|
stay put (To remain in the same place.)
Themen
travel
|lifestyle
Definition
to travel and live in different places (not common)
To travel from place to place, living in a wandering way; this verb is uncommon and can sound dated.
Grammatik
Grundform
gypsy
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/
US/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/
Silben & Betonung
gypsy (1 Silbe)
Stress on 1st syllable (gypsy)
Wortformen
Noun
- Base: gypsy
- Plural: gypsies
Wortfamilie
Forms
gypsies
noun
Related words
romani
noun
roma
noun
Ausdrücke
gypsy cab
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi kˈæb/
fixed phrase
informal
unlicensed taxi
an illegal or unofficial taxi
Beispiele
- We couldn’t get a taxi, so someone offered us a gypsy cab outside the station.
- The city warned visitors not to use gypsy cabs at the airport.
- He was fined for operating a gypsy cab without a license.
Beispiele für Lernende
- Don’t take a gypsy cab.
- Use a licensed taxi instead.
gypsy caravan
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
fixed phrase
traditional traveler wagon
a traditional wagon used for traveling and living
Beispiele
- The film featured a brightly painted gypsy caravan in the background.
- The museum restored an old gypsy caravan and displayed it with historical notes.
- They rented a wagon-style cabin marketed as a “gypsy caravan,” though some people prefer different wording.
Beispiele für Lernende
- We saw a decorated caravan.
gypsy jazz
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi d͡ʒˈæz/
fixed phrase
Django-style swing jazz
a kind of jazz with acoustic guitars
Beispiele
- They played gypsy jazz in a small club downtown.
- Her playlist is full of gypsy jazz guitar solos.
- The festival included a gypsy jazz workshop for beginners.
Beispiele für Lernende
- I like gypsy jazz.
- He plays gypsy jazz guitar.
gypsy moth
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi mˈɔθ/
fixed phrase
technical
invasive moth species
a moth whose caterpillars harm trees
Beispiele
- The forestry department monitored gypsy moth outbreaks in the region.
- Gypsy moth caterpillars can strip leaves from large areas of woodland.
- Many agencies now use the name “spongy moth” instead of “gypsy moth.”
Beispiele für Lernende
- The caterpillars can harm trees.
gypsy skirt
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi skˈɚt/
fixed phrase
long full boho skirt
a long, wide skirt in a boho style
Beispiele
- She wore a gypsy skirt with a simple white T-shirt.
- The shop used to sell “gypsy skirts,” but now labels them “boho maxi skirts.”
- I’m looking for a long, flowy skirt—something like a gypsy skirt.
Beispiele für Lernende
- She bought a long skirt.
gypsy taxi
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi tˈæksi/
fixed phrase
informal
unlicensed taxi service
an illegal or unofficial taxi
Beispiele
- The council ran a campaign against gypsy taxis operating late at night.
- He offered to drive us home like a gypsy taxi, but we declined.
- Police stopped several gypsy taxis near the stadium.
Beispiele für Lernende
- We used a licensed taxi, not a gypsy taxi.