Kúszik

Kúszik is a Hungarian verb meaning to move slowly along the ground or close to it, by crawling or creeping. It can describe the deliberate, nearly contactless advance of people, animals, or objects, and is also used in a figurative sense to indicate gradual or stealthy progression. The word is intransitive and commonly appears with directional indications such as toward or along a surface.

In a literal sense, kúszik refers to moving on hands and knees or with the torso pressed near the ground. It is used for small, cautious movements as well as for the creeping movement of animals or insects. For example, a child may crawl under a table, or a snake may slither in a manner that Hungarian speakers classify as kúszik.

Metaphorically, kúszik can describe gradual or creeping processes. It is often applied to things that advance slowly or insidiously, such as moisture creeping up a wall, rumors spreading through a crowd, or prices rising over time. The term conveys a sense of careful, unobtrusive motion rather than a swift action.

Usage notes: kúszik is an intransitive movement verb and forms its depictions in relation to surfaces or environments. It can be combined with adverbs and prepositions to express direction, e.g., kúszik előre, kúszik fel a lépcsőn. Common collocations emphasize stealth, proximity to the ground, or gradual onset.