Fontosság

Fontosság is a Hungarian noun that denotes the quality or state of being important, i.e., the practical relevance or significance of something in a given context. It is used to describe why a matter matters, how it affects outcomes, and how much attention or resources it should receive.

Etymology and nuance: Fontosság is formed from the adjective fontos, meaning important, with the abstract-noun suffix -sság. The word conveys a sense of priority and consequence, and in some contexts it can carry a more concrete, everyday meaning, whereas related terms like jelentőség emphasize broader or more formal significance.

Usage: The term appears in everyday speech, journalism, and academic writing. It is used to discuss the fontossága of issues, events, ideas, or results, and to justify prioritization or decision-making. Examples include phrases such as a döntés fontossága (the importance of the decision) or ennek a változásnak a fontossága (the significance of this change).

Measurement and assessment: Fontosság is often context-dependent and not easily quantified. In practice, its assessment can be qualitative, based on judgment about impact and relevance, or supported by formal methods such as weighting, prioritization, and multicriteria decision analysis to guide resource allocation and policy choices.

See also: jelentőség, relevancia, prioritás, releváns.