azért

Azért is a Hungarian word with multiple uses in grammar, functioning as both a conjunction/adverb and as a postpositional element that expresses purpose or reason. The form literally derives from the demonstrative pronoun az, meaning that, plus the suffix -ért, meaning for or for the sake of. The result is a versatile tool for linking clauses or marking motives.

As a conjunction or sentence adverb, aźért can introduce or emphasize a reason or explanation. It is commonly translated as for that reason, therefore, or that is why. For example: Azért nem jött el, mert beteg volt. (He didn’t come because he was sick.) In this role it often stands at the start of a clause to reinforce the causal connection.

As a purpose-oriented or emphatic element, aźért can appear with a following clause to express intention or aim: Azért dolgozom, hogy előrelépjek. (I work in order to advance.) It can also function as a standalone phrase meaning “That’s why” or “For that reason,” especially in informal speech.

Distinctions from ezért: ezért is expresses a reason or consequence, but azért often refers to something previously mentioned or more distant in discourse, and can carry a stronger emphasis or contrast. Both forms are common, with ezért generally more neutral in formal writing.

Usage notes: Azért is frequent in spoken Hungarian and in written texts, where the speaker or writer wants to highlight a prior fact or introduce a purpose clause. The choice between azért and ezért can affect emphasis and cohesion in a sentence.