Eltaláltam

Eltaláltam is a Hungarian verb form that serves as the first-person singular past tense of eltalál, meaning to hit upon or to guess correctly. It is used when the speaker wants to express that they have found the right answer, solution, or insight, rather than merely locating a physical object. Depending on context, it can translate as I guessed it, I hit the mark, or I found the solution.

The word is built from talál, meaning to find or encounter, with the prefix el- adding sense of completion or reaching a goal. Eltalál means to hit upon or guess correctly. The form eltaláltam is the past definite first-person singular, while eltalálom would be the present tense, and eltaláltam igazolná a correct past sense in a sentence.

Usage notes include its appropriateness for problems, puzzles, or situations where a correct guess is reached. It is transitive and typically takes a direct object such as a solution, an answer, or a suspicion: "Eltaláltam a megfejtést." or "Eltaláltam, mire gondol." This sense is distinct from megtalálni, which means to locate or find something physically, and from kitalálni, which means to come up with or invent something.

See also: megtalálni (to locate/find), kitalál (to figure out or invent), talál (to meet or find).