Képzszó

képzszó is a Hungarian lexical term that refers to a word that is constructed, either consciously or through linguistic creativity, to evoke a vivid image or concept in the mind of the listener or reader. The term is used by writers, poets and linguists to describe neologisms, metaphorical compounds, and other word formations that rely heavily on sensory or imagistic content. While not a standard word in everyday Hungarian, képzszó has a presence in specialized linguistic literature, particularly within discussions of image formation in language and the role of metaphor in lexical development.

The word originates from the Hungarian verb képzelni, meaning “to imagine,” combined with the noun szó, meaning “word.” The compound is formed without a hyphen as a seamless blend: képz-szó. In etymological analyses the construction is seen as a compact representation of the cognitive process by which a speaker visualises or conceptualises an idea and then encodes it as a spoken or written unit.

In linguistic typology, képzszó is often discussed alongside concepts such as image words, evocative words, and ideographic compounds. When a képzszó is created, it tends to draw on existing semantic fields—such as nature, technology or social behaviour—to produce an instantly recognisable mental picture. Some writers regard képzszó as a vehicle for enhancing stylistic depth, whereas critics sometimes question the originality of overly image‑laden neologisms.

Examples of képzszó include words like internet, which merged the notion of a “network” with the suffix –net, creating an instant visual image of a web of connections. In Hungarian literature one may encounter deliberately constructed képzszó such as “éjszaka”, literally “night times”, which personifies the evening as a series of passing moments. Other neologisms such as “környezetvédelem” combine the image of “surroundings” with “protection” to create a concept that is immediately comprehensible.

Képzszó plays a role in both everyday Hungarian and theoretical lexicography, offering a lens through which the interplay of imagination and linguistic structure can be examined.