Körülírtan

Körülírtan is a Hungarian adverb meaning “in a circumlocutory or roundabout manner.” It is formed from the verb körülírni, which can be understood as “to circumvent description” or “to describe around,” together with the adverbial suffix -an. The term is primarily used in linguistic or rhetorical contexts to characterize a style of expression that relies on indirectness rather than direct statement.

Etymology and usage

Körülírtan derives from körülírni (to circumlocute) and the suffix -an, producing an adverb that describes how something is said or written. It is closely linked to the noun körülírás, meaning circumlocution. In practice, körülírtan describes a manner of speaking or writing that favors elaboration, indirectness, or avoidance of concise formulations. The construction is relatively rare in everyday speech and appears mostly in critical writing, linguistic analysis, or literary discussions.

Examples

- A szerző körülírtan fogalmazott, kerülve a közvetlen állításokat. (The author spoke circumlocutorily, avoiding direct statements.)

- A kritika megjegyzi: körülírtan leírja a problémát, nem ad egyértelmű megoldást. (The critique notes that it describes the problem in a circumlocutory way, not providing a clear solution.)

See also

Circumlocution (körülírás) and related stylistic terms in Hungarian rhetorical analysis. The term körülírtan is uncommon outside specialist discussions and may not appear in all dictionaries.