Megkontrakál

Megkontrakál is a Hungarian verb that translates to "to contract" or "to get a cold/flu" in English. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the act of falling ill with a viral respiratory infection. The term implies a more informal or common ailment rather than a serious or complex medical condition.

The verb can be used in various contexts. For instance, one might say "Megkontrakáltam" meaning "I've caught a cold." It can also refer to the act of becoming afflicted with such an illness, such as "Sok gyerek meg szokott kontrakálni az ovodában" which translates to "Many children tend to catch colds in kindergarten." The term is generally understood to refer to common, self-limiting illnesses like the common cold or influenza.

While "megkontrakál" specifically refers to contracting an illness, the root word "kontra" is related to the Latin word "contra," meaning against. This etymological connection hints at the idea of something coming against or opposing the body's well-being, leading to illness. It is a widely understood and frequently used term within the Hungarian language for describing common sicknesses.