Reciprokatív

Reciprokatív is an adjective in Hungarian used to describe reciprocity or mutuality—relations, actions, or quantities that occur in a two-way or mutually dependent way. The term derives from Latin reciprocatus and is employed across disciplines to denote mutuality, inverse relations, or paired exchanges.

In mathematics, reciprocal commonly designates the multiplicative inverse. The reciprocal of a nonzero number x is 1/x, and the reciprocal of a matrix A is its inverse A^(-1) if it exists. The function f(x) = 1/x is called a reciprocal function, pairing each nonzero x with its reciprocal and exhibiting symmetry relative to the line y = x. The broader idea of reciprocity also appears in relations that are symmetric: if a is related to b by a reciprocal relation, then b is related to a by the same relation.

In linguistics, reciprocal constructions express mutual action between participants, as in phrases that convey “each other” or “one another” in English. In Hungarian linguistic terminology, reciprocal or reciprocátív constructions describe such mutual exchanges within a sentence or clause.

In social sciences and philosophy, reciprocity denotes a broader principle of mutual exchange, obligation, or benefit between individuals or groups. The adjective reciprokatív is thus applied to describe systems, theories, or descriptions that emphasize mutuality rather than unilateral action.

Etymology notes: the word comes from Latin reciprocatus, adapted into Hungarian academic usage. While common in specialized writing, it is also found in mathematical, linguistic, and social-science contexts to signal mutual or inverse relations.