felelniük

Felelniük is the non-finite form of the Hungarian verb felelni with the third-person plural possessive suffix -ük. In practice, felelniük indicates that “they” have to answer or be held responsible for something. It is not a standalone lexical item; it is the infinitive form carrying a possessive ending to mark the subject of obligation in subordinate clauses or in constructions with modal verbs.

Morphology and usage: The suffix -ük marks the subject as third person plural. Felelniük is typically used in sentences with a modal verb like kell, creating an obligation for the subject to be accountable. For example: A vezetőknek felelniük kell a döntéseikért. (The leaders must answer for their decisions.) Other examples include felelniük kell a mulasztásokért or felelniük kell a vállalat tetteiért. In these cases, felelniük functions as a non-finite clause that expresses accountability for a specified matter.

Meaning and scope: Felelni (to answer or be responsible) can refer to legal liability or moral accountability. The felelniük form emphasizes that a group (they) bears responsibility for actions or outcomes. It is most common in formal, administrative, or legal contexts, where accountability is being stated as an obligation of a plural subject.

Notes: Felelniük is not used as a standalone noun; its primary role is as a non-finite verb form within larger clauses. Its meaning can shift slightly with context—ranging from legal liability to moral accountability—depending on the object of responsibility in the sentence.