Kulcstól

Kulcstól is a Hungarian word-formation that functions as the ablative form of the noun kulcs, meaning key. It marks origin or starting point in spatial expressions and can also appear in temporal or distance-related phrases to indicate a reference point from which something is measured. The suffix -tól (with the appropriate vowel harmony as -tól) attaches to the noun stem to form the ablative; for kulcs the singular form is kulcstól, while the plural form is kulcsoktól. The orthography is kulcstól without a space.

In use, kulcstól denotes source, departure, or reference from which another element is considered. It frequently appears in spatial contexts, for example in phrases like a zár a kulcstól balra található, meaning “the lock is to the left of the key.” It can also appear in time- or distance-related expressions to establish a starting point or reference, such as kulcstól számított öt perc vagy öt perccel a kulcstól számított idő után, illustrating the sense of “from the reference point.”

Etymology and morphology: kulcstól is formed by combining kulcs with the ablative suffix -tól. The plural form is kulcsoktól, used when referring to multiple keys. As a postpositional element, kulcstól usually accompanies a noun or pronoun to provide locational or temporal reference.

See also: Hungarian grammar; Ablative case; -tól/-től suffix.