Legáltalabb

"Legáltalabb" is a Hungarian adverb that translates to "at least" or "at the very least" in English. It is used to indicate a minimum quantity, number, or condition. The word is a combination of "leg-" which is a superlative prefix, and "által" which can mean "by" or "through". However, in this context, the etymology is less about a literal combination and more about the idiomatic development of the word.

This adverb serves to set a lower bound on a statement. For example, one might say "Szükségünk van legább egy órára" which means "We need at least one hour." Here, "legább" emphasizes that one hour is the minimum required time, and more might be acceptable or even necessary. Similarly, "A feladat legább tíz emberrel végezhető el" translates to "The task can be completed by at least ten people." This conveys that ten is the minimum number of individuals required for the job.

"Legáltalabb" can also be used to express a minimum expectation or requirement in a more abstract sense. For instance, "A terv legább annyira ambiciózus, mint a korábbiak" means "The plan is at least as ambitious as the previous ones." This usage highlights a baseline level of ambition. The adverb is a common and useful part of Hungarian vocabulary for expressing lower limits and minimum conditions.