Szóbeli

Szóbeli is a Hungarian adjective meaning “oral” or “spoken,” formed from the noun szó (word) with the suffix -beli, which denotes relation or belonging. It denotes things connected to speech, spoken language, or oral forms, as opposed to írásbeli, which means “written.”

In educational contexts, szóbeli commonly refers to the oral component of assessments, such as a szóbeli vizsga (oral examination) or szóbeli felelet (oral answer). The term is also used in other areas to describe spoken rather than written communication, for example szóbeli közlés (oral transmission/communication) and szóbeli hagyomány (oral tradition). In linguistics, szóbeli descriptions or analysis pertain to spoken language as distinct from written.

The concept extends to everyday language as well, where szóbeli megállapodás or szóbeli szerződésis used to indicate an agreement articulated by word rather than in writing, though the legal weight of such arrangements can vary by jurisdiction and context. In cultural and historical discussions, szóbeli tradition or szóbeli history refers to knowledge or events transmitted orally across generations, rather than through printed records.

Origin and usage notes: szóbeli is widely recognized in Hungarian across education, linguistics, and everyday speech. It serves as the standard counterpart to írásbeli (written). While the exact phrasing can vary by context, the underlying idea is the distinction between spoken, oral forms and written, recorded forms.