Megélése

Megélése is a Hungarian noun that denotes the lived experience or the subjective process of experiencing something. In scholarly contexts it refers to how individuals interpret, internalize, and integrate events into their sense of self, rather than to the events themselves as external facts. The concept is often used in psychology, anthropology, and philosophy to describe the phenomenological dimension of life.

Etymology and form: megélése derives from the verb megélni, meaning to live through or experience, combined with the suffix -és to form a noun meaning the act or state of experiencing, and the possessive suffix -e to indicate “one’s own.” This construction foregrounds process and meaning over mere occurrence.

Usage and nuance: In Hungarian academic writing, megélése is contrasted with élmény, which more directly denotes a notable experience or event. Megélése emphasizes the subjective interpretation, emotional processing, and integration of experiences into personal identity. It is commonly used in discussions of trauma, memory, narrative identity, and qualitative research methods.

Translations and scope: In English, megélése is typically rendered as “lived experience” or “subjective experience.” The term carries a nuanced distinction that helps explain how individuals relate to and make sense of their lives within social and cultural contexts.

See also: phenomenology, lived experience, qualitative research, narrative psychology.