Betegre

Betegre is a form of the Hungarian noun beteg, meaning a sick person or patient, created by adding the suffix -re. In Hungarian, -re serves as a directional or targeting suffix, indicating that an action is directed toward or applied onto the target described by the noun. As a result, betegre marks the patient as the surface or recipient of the action rather than as a possessor or indirect object.

In use, betegre typically appears with verbs that involve applying, placing, or directing something onto the body or surface of the patient. Common constructions include kenni (to rub), helyezni or tenni (to place), and permetezni or cseppenteni (to spray or drop). For example: A krémet a betegre kenik. (They rub the cream onto the patient.) A kötést a betegre helyezik. (They place the bandage onto the patient.) These examples illustrate betegre as the target of an action performed on the patient.

Betegre contrasts with other Hungarian directions or cases.beteghez or beteg felé convey direction toward the patient, rather than onto the patient’s body. The choice between -re and -hez/-felé can change the nuance from contact or surface application to general movement toward the person.

Etymologically, betegre is a straightforward combination of beteg with the directional suffix -re, and it is used primarily in concrete, physical contexts involving contact with a patient. It is less common in figurative language, where other constructions would typically be more appropriate.