Halálosan

Halálosan is a Hungarian adverb used as a degree modifier to indicate an extreme level of a property, roughly equivalent to “deadly,” “extremely,” or “totally.” It is derived from the adjective halálos (deadly, fatal) with the adverbial suffix -osan, forming halálosan to modify other words.

Usage and meaning

Halálosan typically precedes an adjective or participle to intensify it: halálosan éhes (deadly hungry), halálosan fáradt (dead tired), halálosan kíváncsi (extremely curious). It can also describe situations or states that seem profoundly severe or dangerous, as in halálosan veszélyes (deadly dangerous / extremely dangerous). In many contexts, it functions as a colloquial or emphatic intensifier; in formal writing, more neutral alternatives such as rendkívül, nagyon, or kimondottan may be preferred.

Grammatical notes

As an adverb, halálosan modifies adjectives or participles and typically appears directly before the word it intensifies. Its use is common in everyday speech and literary prose, but its strength is greater than simpler intensifiers like nagyon or különösen. Negation can be formed with nem halálosan, though such constructions are less common and may sound marked.

Etymology and related forms

The term comes from halálos, meaning deadly, with the conventional Hungarian adverbial suffix -osan. Related forms include halálos (adjective meaning deadly) and halál (death).

See also

halálos, halál, Hungarian adverbial intensifiers, rendkívül.

This entry provides a concise overview of halálosan as a degree adverb in Hungarian, covering its meaning, usage, and linguistic background.