Háromhoz

Háromhoz is a Hungarian bound form created by attaching the cardinal number három (three) to the directional suffix -hoz. The suffix -hoz belongs to the family -hoz, -hez, -höz, which marks direction toward something or a reference point related to a noun or quantity. When combined with három, the result is háromhoz, a morphologically productive form used in various constructions rather than as an independent lexical item.

Morphology and spelling: The choice of the suffix variant follows Hungarian vowel harmony rules. For the base három, which contains the back vowel a, the form is -hoz, yielding háromhoz. This form is not a standalone word but a bound morpheme that appears only in phrases where the numeral functions as a referential anchor in relation to another element.

Usage and functions: Háromhoz occurs in contexts where the numeral serves as a reference point for direction, comparison, or estimation. It is common in idiomatic or set expressions such as háromhoz hasonló (similar to three) and háromhoz képest (in comparison with three). In these uses, the -hoz suffix signals a relational link to the numeral rather than a literal spatial direction. The exact meaning depends on the surrounding words and the broader syntactic construction.

Notes: Hungarian utilizes a system of directional and comparative suffixes with numerals, of which háromhoz is a standard example. Its interpretation is context-dependent, and translations into English typically convey a sense of similarity, comparison, or reference to the quantity three rather than a literal “toward three.”