Leírás

Leírás is a Hungarian noun meaning description. It denotes the act of describing or the written representation of the features, qualities, or details of a person, object, place, event, or process. In literature, journalism, and technical writing, leírás can be factual and precise or evocative and imaginative, depending on purpose and audience.

The word is formed from the verb írni 'to write' with the prefix le-, yielding 'a writing down' or 'a description.' It is closely related to but distinct from jellemzés, which often emphasizes interpretation or evaluation, whereas leírás focuses on what is observable or knowable.

Common types include general description that conveys an overall impression; technical description that presents measurements, materials, and functions; place descriptions that outline setting; person descriptions that cover appearance, role, and background; and process descriptions that explain steps or procedures. In dictionaries and encyclopedic writing, leírás standardizes factual detail.

In education and professional writing, leírás is used to organize information clearly, often in lists, sections, or steps, so readers can form an exact understanding of the subject. In creative writing it can build atmosphere and realism through sensory details.

In Hungarian language resources and style guides, leírás is a foundational textual mode alongside narráció (narration) and érvelés (argumentation).