Melléknevezett

Melléknevezett is a term used in Hungarian linguistics to describe adjectives that function as nouns, i.e., nominalized adjectives. In this usage, an adjective is treated as a substantive to refer to a class of people or things described by that adjective rather than to individual members.

Function and usage

A melléknevezett allows speakers to refer succinctly to a group defined by a common attribute. For example, szegények means “the poor,” gazdagok means “the rich,” and idõsek means “the elderly.” The form is typically inflected for number (and, in compounds, for case) just like a noun. When the reference is definite or foregrounded, a definite article or determiner may accompany the nominalized adjective (e.g., A szegények segítése. “The help for the poor.”). This construction is common in formal writing, journalism, and stylistically marked speech, where a class or category is highlighted by referring to its members collectively.

Morphology and syntax

The adjective base is used with plural endings to denote a group. The plural suffix is usually -k (e.g., szegények, gazdagok). The form can also appear in various cases with appropriate endings (e.g., gazdagoknak). Unlike true nouns, melléknevezett forms originate from adjectives yet function as the head of a noun phrase within sentences.

Related notions

Melléknevezett contrasts with ordinary noun usage and with fully nominalized constructions that derive from verbs or other parts of speech. It is part of broader Hungarian nominalization phenomena, where words shift category or gain new syntactic roles.

See also

Hungarian grammar; nominalization; epithet and collective reference in Hungarian.