dörzsöli

Dörzsöli is a Hungarian verb form meaning “he rubs it” or “she rubs it.” It is the present tense, third-person singular definite conjugation of the verb dörzsöl, whose basic meaning is to rub, scrub, or chafe. The infinitive is dörzsölni. The form dörzsöli appears when the direct object is definite, as in a sentence like “Ő dörzsöli a kendőt.”

Etymology and morphology: The root dörzs- is a native Hungarian root meaning to rub. The suffix -öl- is a productive transitive-verb formation, and -i indicates a finite third-person singular form in present tense when the object is definite (definite conjugation). This pattern contrasts with indefinite forms where the object is not specified.

Usage: The verb covers actions involving friction applied to a surface or body part, such as rubbing the skin, massaging, or smoothing by friction. It can describe applying a substance by rubbing (for example, cream worked into the skin) when the object being rubbed is definite. In discourse, dörzsöl can also be used in a literal sense of polishing or scrubbing surfaces.

Examples:

- Ő krémmel dörzsöli a bőrét. (He rubs his skin with cream.)

- Ő dörzsöli a kendőt. (He rubs the handkerchief.)

Related forms: dörzsölni (infinitive), dörzsölő (present participle), dörzsölt (past tense). See also dörzsölés (the act or result of rubbing). The form dörzsöli is specifically the 3rd person singular definite present.