Válogatottba

Válogatottba is a Hungarian term used to describe the act of being selected for or joining the national team. The word válogatott means the national team, and the allative suffix -ba/-be attached to it yields válogatottba, literally “into the national team.” The form is most commonly used in sports contexts to denote inclusion in a national squad or invitation to join it.

Grammatically, -ba/-be marks motion into a place or into a group, so válogatottba denotes moving into or becoming part of the national team. It is frequently combined with verbs such as kerül (to end up in) or hívni/meghívni (to invite). Example sentences include: A futballista a válogatottba került. A szakvezető bejelentette, hogy válogatottba hívta a játékosokat.

Válogatottba may appear with different nuances depending on the sport and context, but it generally indicates selection rather than mere interest. It is often contrasted with válogatottban, meaning “in the national team,” used to describe a player already playing as a member of the team. The phrase is widely used in Hungarian sports journalism and official announcements.

Etymology-wise, válogatott is formed from válogatni (to select) plus -ott, creating a noun meaning “the selected ones” or “the chosen team.” The addition of -ba/-be converts it into a directional form, signaling entry into that group. While most common in football, the construction is applicable to any sport with a national squad.