Higgadt

Higgadt is a Hungarian adjective meaning calm, collected, and level-headed. It describes a person who remains composed in difficult situations and tends to think and respond with restraint rather than impulsiveness. The term conveys steadiness of mind and measured judgment, often associated with rational decision-making and self-control.

Origin and form: The word derives from the Hungarian root higgad-, meaning calm or tranquil, with the suffix -t forming an attributive adjective. It is used in both formal and literary language and is typically placed before the noun it modifies (higgadt vezető, higgadt válasz) or used predicatively (A döntés higgadt volt).

Usage and examples: Common collocations include higgadt megközelítés (calm, level-headed approach) and higgadt gondolkodásmód (calm mindset). In everyday speech, it can describe a person’s demeanor, e.g., Higgadtan reagált a kritikára. English translations include calm, composed, level-headed, and cool-headed.

Notes: While closely related to similar adjectives such as nyugodt and tárgyilagos, higgadt emphasizes internal regulation of emotion and deliberate reasoning rather than mere absence of stress. It is widely understood by Hungarian speakers and appears in journalism, management discourse, and literature.

See also: calmness in Hungarian language usage, adjectives describing temperament.