Gátolni

Gátolni is a Hungarian verb meaning to hinder, impede, or prevent progress, action, or development. It is a transitive verb, used with a direct object in the accusative case, as in: A szabályozás gátolja a vállalkozás növekedését (The regulation hinders the growth of the business).

Etymology and nuance: the verb is formed from the noun gát, meaning barrier, dam, or obstacle, with the suffix -olni. The sense is to create or impose obstacles that slow down or stop a process. Gátolni often conveys a deliberate act of hindering, and can be used in everyday language as well as in political, legal, or scientific contexts.

Usage and examples: gátolni is common in both spoken and written Hungarian. Synonyms include akadályoz (to prevent or hinder, often in a formal sense) and megakadályoz (to stop completely). Distinctions can be subtle: gátol emphasizes creating impediments, while akadályoz can imply obstruction or hindrance more broadly.

Conjugation and forms: gátolni is a regular -ni verb. Present tense: én gátolom, te gátolod, ő gátolja; mi gátoljuk, ti gátoljátok, ők gátolják. Past tense (perfekt): gátoltam, gátoltad, gátolta; gátoltuk, gátoltátok, gátolták. Future: fogok gátolni, fogsz gátolni, fog gátolni. Imperative: gátolj! (you singular), gátoljatok! (you plural).

Derivations and related terms: gátlás (inhibition, restraint) and gátló (hindering agent) exist as noun and adjective forms. The verb is versatile across domains, from describing everyday delays to analyzing policy outcomes.