Szembesül

Szembesül is a Hungarian verb meaning to face, confront, or come to terms with something. It can refer to a literal act of turning to meet someone or something, as well as a figurative act of acknowledging reality, facts, or consequences. The typical construction is szembesül vmivel, meaning to be confronted with or to deal with something; szembesülés is the corresponding noun form referring to the process of facing reality or facts. The related verb szembesít means to confront someone with something (for example, presenting someone with evidence).

Etymology and form: the verb derives from szemben (in front of, facing) with the -sül suffix, producing an intransitive verb that denotes an encounter or facing a situation. It participates in standard Hungarian tense and mood conjugations, with szembesül a form in the present, and szembesült in the past, depending on subject and person. The noun szembesülés denotes the act or experience of facing something.

Usage and nuance: szembesül is common in journalism, science, law, psychology, and everyday language. It often carries a neutral to slightly weighty tone, signaling an acceptance or acknowledgment of an unwelcome fact or reality, rather than avoidance. The verb can be used with various complements, most often with vmivel (with something) or with a situation or reality.

Examples:

- A kutatók a valósággal szembesültek, amikor az adatok ellentmondtak a hipotézisnek.

- A válság közepén az önkormányzatnak szembesülnie kellett a költségvetési realitásokkal.

- A felek szembesülnek a tényekkel.

Related terms include szembesítés (confrontation, presenting evidence) and szembesít (to confront someone with something).