elveszhet

Elveszhet is a Hungarian verb form derived from elvesz (to lose). It expresses possibility or potential of losing something, and translates roughly as “could be lost” or “might be lost.” The form is used when the speaker wants to acknowledge the risk of loss under certain conditions rather than stating that a loss has already occurred. It belongs to the mood of modality, marked by the suffix -het attached to the verb stem; the singular present form is elveszhet, while the plural is elveszhetnek.

Etymology and related forms: elveszhet is formed from elvesz plus the suffix -het to indicate possibility. Related words include elvesztés (loss) and the related verb elveszik (to be lost or to vanish). The construction is common in risk assessment, plans, and warnings, where a loss is hypothetical rather than definite. Negative forms and context can affect nuance, but elveszhet itself signals potential rather than a completed act.

Usage and examples: In everyday and formal Hungarian, elveszhet is used to discuss things that may be lost under certain conditions. Examples include: “Ha nem figyelsz, elveszhet a kulcsod.” (If you’re not careful, your key could be lost.) “Az adatok elveszhetnek, ha nem készítünk biztonsági mentést.” (The data could be lost if we do not back it up.) It can agree with singular or plural subjects, yielding elveszhet or elveszhetnek, respectively.

See also: elvesz, elveszik, elvesztés.