alacsonyak

Alacsonyak is a Hungarian term formed from the adjective alacsony, meaning low or short in height. In everyday use it describes people or things that are not tall. The form alacsonyak is the plural, and it can function as a descriptive adjective before a noun or as a substantive referring to a group: az alacsonyak means “the short ones.” For example, a sentence might say, A diákok között alacsonyak voltak a lányok és a fiúk, or simply, Az alacsonyak megérkeztek.

In neutral contexts, alacsonyak is a straightforward, descriptive label for height. It is commonly used in discussion of physical characteristics, sports, medicine, or everyday observation. Its opposite is magasak, meaning tall people, and the two terms are frequently paired when contrasting groups, such as in phrases like az alacsonyak és a magasak közti különbség (the difference between the short ones and the tall ones).

Care is needed regarding tone and social context. While describing height, alacsonyak can be neutral, but in some contexts it may carry diminutive or stigmatizing connotations if used as a label or insult. Like many height-related descriptors in Hungarian, the perception of the term depends on speaker intent, audience, and accompanying words.

See also: magas, alacsony, nyelvhasználat, társadalmi kategóriák.