Negatívum

Negatívum is a Hungarian noun meaning a negative aspect, drawback, or disadvantage of a person, proposal, object, or situation. It is commonly used in evaluations to express what detracts from overall value or desirability. The term is usually paired with pozitívum (positive aspect), and together they frame a balanced assessment in reports, debates, marketing analyses, and academic writing.

Origin and grammar: Negatívum is formed from the adjective negatív by adding the suffix -um, a pattern used for abstract nouns in Hungarian. The adjective negatív derives from Latin negativus through European linguistic channels. The plural form is negatívumok; related terms include pozitívum (positive aspect) and hátrány (disadvantage).

Usage examples: In consumer reports: "Az autó egyik fő negatívuma a magas üzemanyag-fogyasztás." In survey results: "A legnagyobb negatívum a korlátozott garancia." In broader analysis: "A projekt előnyei (pozitívumok) mellett a költségvetés és ütemterv korlátai a negatívumok közé tartoznak."

Semantic notes: Negatívum is closely related to hátrány (disadvantage) and hátrányosság, but often appears in the context of a structured evaluation of positive and negative aspects. It is commonly used in SWOT analyses, product reviews, and academic discussions to denote a specific drawback within a balanced appraisal.