eltévedni

Eltévedni is a Hungarian verb that denotes losing one’s way or going astray. It can refer to physical navigation, such as getting lost in a forest, in a city, or on a journey, as well as to figurative misdirection, for example wandering from a topic, making a mistaken conclusion, or deviating from a planned course. The term often implies a temporary departure rather than a permanent error.

Etymology and form: eltávedni is formed from the verb tévedni (to err) with the prefix el-, which in Hungarian commonly marks departure from a path or deviation from the correct course. The infinitive is eltévedni; forms in the present, past, and other tenses are built like other verbs with the el- prefix, adapting to subject and tense.

Usage notes: In the literal sense it is used with locations and routes, for example: "Eltévedtem az erdőben." In the figurative sense it can describe straying from a topic or from correct reasoning: "A beszéd során eltévedett a témában." It can also describe errors in calculations or judgments: "eltévedett a számításban" (he erred in the calculations).

See also: tévedni, which covers general notions of making mistakes or being mistaken, and eltévedés, the noun form referring to the act or instance of getting lost or going astray.