Eltartható

Eltartható is a Hungarian adjective meaning capable of being kept, maintained, or lasting over time. It is used to describe processes, systems, goods, or strategies that can endure without depleting resources or compromising future viability. While it is often used in discussions of sustainability, eltartható can also refer to durability or long-term viability in practical, economic, or social contexts. In some cases it is used interchangeably with fenntartható, though the nuances differ.

Etymology and form: The word is formed from the prefix el- plus tartó, derived from tartani, meaning to hold or keep. The construction conveys the sense of something that can be kept or maintained, hence lasting over a period.

Usage and contexts: Eltartható appears in academic, policy, design, and business discourse to describe long-term viability or durability. Phrases include eltartható megoldás (a sustainable or lasting solution) and eltartható állapot (a stable, maintainable state). The noun eltarthatóság denotes the quality or property of being maintainable or durable.

Relationship to related terms: Fenntartható is the more common term for sustainability, emphasizing balanced, enduring viability across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Eltartható tends to stress persistence or durability in a more practical or immediate sense. In many contexts, the two terms are complementary, with eltartható highlighting what can be kept or continued over time, and fenntartható addressing broader sustainability goals.

See also: durability, sustainability, long-term viability, tartósság.