Közismerten

Közismerten is a Hungarian adverb that signals a statement is widely known or generally accepted. It can be translated as “as is widely known,” “to public knowledge,” or “in the public understanding.” The word is used to introduce or reinforce information that the author assumes the reader already recognises as common knowledge.

Etymology and form: The term derives from the adjective közismert, meaning “widely known.” The adverbial use, expressed by közismerten, is established in formal and written Hungarian, and it functions to frame forthcoming claims as something the audience is expected to accept without needing further justification. In many contexts, it appears at the beginning of a clause or sentence.

Usage: Közismerten is most common in formal writing, journalism, academic prose, and eloquent speech. It tends to precede statements that the writer regards as conventional or broadly acknowledged. In everyday speech, speakers more often use alternatives such as köztudott or commonly glossed phrases, while közismerten remains a marker of a more formal register. Typical collocations include közismerten elfogadott, közismerten ismert, or phrases introducing a widely acknowledged fact or principle.

Examples:

- Közismerten elfogadott elv, hogy a nyelv és a társadalom kölcsön hatásban fejlődik.

- Közismerten használt kifejezés ez a szakkifejezés, amely jól érthető a szakirodalom olvasói számára.

Notes: While it conveys a sense of broad agreement, users should ensure the claim truly reflects a consensus; overuse can suggest an appeal to authority rather than evidence. The term pairs well with careful sourcing when the claim relies on research or data.

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