Mércéként

Mércéként is a Hungarian predicative expression formed from the noun mérce (yardstick, standard) plus the suffix -ként, meaning "as" or "in the role of." It is used to designate that something is being used as a standard for comparison, evaluation, or decision-making. In English, it is often translated as “as a yardstick” or “as a criterion.”

Etymology and form: The base word mérce conveys the idea of a measuring standard. The suffix -ként attaches to convey role or function, producing a phrase that functions like a predicative complement in Hungarian grammar. The form mércéként is commonly encountered, and it is used regardless of the number of standards referred to in a given context.

Usage: Mércéként appears mainly in formal, analytical, or evaluative prose, including academic writing, policy discussions, and critique. It signals that the following measures, data, or observations are being used to judge or compare something against a benchmark. Examples include: "Az új mutatók mércéként szolgálnak a teljesítmény értékeléséhez." and "Ezek a számok mércéként szolgálnak a döntéshozatal alapjául." It can be paired with verbs like szolgál, használ, vagy beépül to express its function as a standard.

See also: mérce, kritérium, standard, yardstick.