Mérlegeli

Mérlegeli is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Hungarian verb mérlegel. As a verb, mérlegel has both literal and figurative senses: literally to weigh something on a scale, and figuratively to weigh, consider or deliberate options, evidence, or arguments.

Etymology and form

The word derives from mérleg (scale) combined with the verbalizing suffix -el. Mérlegeli therefore literally means "he/she/it weighs" and is used to indicate that a subject is performing the action of weighing or considering at the present moment.

Usage

In everyday Hungarian mérlegeli commonly appears in contexts of decision-making and assessment: for example, "Ő mérlegeli a lehetőségeket" ("He/she is weighing the options") or "A bíróság mérlegeli a bizonyítékokat" ("The court considers/weighs the evidence"). The verb can take direct objects (e.g., mérlegeli a kockázatot — "he/she weighs the risk") and is used in both formal (legal, administrative) and informal speech.

Related terms and synonyms

Synonyms in Hungarian include fontolgat and megfontol. The verbal root mérleg also appears in related compounds and nouns referring to scales and balance, reinforcing the metaphor of measurement and comparison that underlies the figurative uses.

Grammatical notes

As a regular transitive verb, mérlegel participates in standard Hungarian conjugation patterns; mérlegeli specifically marks third-person singular present action.