Imához

Imához is the dative singular form of the Hungarian noun ima, meaning “prayer.” It is formed by attaching the dative suffix -hoz to the stem ima, in keeping with Hungarian vowel harmony (imához). The form is used to indicate direction toward or toward the act of praying, and it occurs in constructions with verbs that take a dative complement, most commonly fordul, folyamodik, or könyörög.

In practical use, imához often appears in phrases describing turning to prayer as a response to a situation. For example: “A bajban az emberek imához fordulnak.” (In trouble, people turn to prayer.) Another example: “A reményért imához fordulunk.” (We turn to prayer for hope.) These usages are typical in religious or spiritual discourse and emphasize prayer as a resource or focal point.

Semantic notes: imához denotes the act or concept of prayer as something to which one can direct oneself or address a request. It contrasts with address to a person or deity expressed by other dative forms (for example, Istenhez, to God). The suffix -hoz is part of a set of directional dative forms (-hoz/-hez/-höz) used with various nouns to express movement toward or contact with the referent.

See also: ima (prayer); Istenhez (to God); the broader Hungarian dative and directional suffix system.