Szempont

Szempont is a Hungarian noun meaning aspect, criterion, or point of view. It denotes a particular angle from which something is considered or evaluated and is widely used in both everyday language and formal discourse, such as journalism, business analysis, law, science, and philosophy.

Etymology and sense: The word is a compound of szem (eye) and pont (point), reflecting the metaphor of an observer’s vantage or viewpoint. The concept of a standpoint or criterion developed over time in Hungarian and remains a standard term for discussing how something should be judged or compared.

Usage and grammar: Szempont can be used with various suffixes to express different meanings, for example szempontból meaning “from the standpoint of” or “in terms of.” Plural form szempontok refers to multiple criteria. Common phrases include több szempontból (in several aspects) and egy adott szempont alapján (based on a given criterion). Verbs such as mérlegelni a szempontokat (to weigh the criteria) or figyelembe venni a szempontokat (to take the considerations into account) are typical in formal writing.

Related terms and distinctions: Synonyms include nézőpont (viewpoint) and szemszög (angle of view). Szempontok rendszere or szempontrendszer can denote a system of criteria used to evaluate options. While related, these terms carry slightly different emphases: szempont emphasizes the criterion or perspective itself, while nézőpont focuses more on the observer’s viewpoint.

In summary, szempont is a foundational term for describing how something is assessed or viewed, balancing practical criteria with subjective perspective.