Körülbelül

Körülbelül is a Hungarian adverb meaning approximately, roughly, or about. It is used to indicate an approximate value for quantities, distances, times, or durations. In typical sentences it precedes the precise figure: Körülbelül tíz kilométerre van a város központjától; Körülbelül öt perc alatt elkészül. It can also modify phrases that express amount, such as körülbelül száz ember vett részt. The word serves as a hedge on precision and is common in both spoken and written Hungarian, including formal contexts.

Grammatically, körülbelül is invariable; it does not inflect and generally appears directly before the numeral or measurement unit. In formal writing it is used to convey estimate without committing to exactitude, while in informal speech it is often replaced by synonyms such as mintegy, nagyjából, or hozzávetőleg.

Etymology and nuance: körülbelül is considered a compound formed from körül ('around') and belül ('inside'), reflecting a sense of extent rather than a fixed value. The exact historical development is not always stated in concise references, but the meaning is universally understood in Hungarian as indicating an approximate range.

See also: synonyms include mintegy, nagyjából, hozzávetőleg, közelítőleg. In numerical or statistical contexts, körülbelül remains a standard, neutral way to express estimation.