fokozatos

Fokozatos is a Hungarian adjective meaning gradual, incremental, or stepwise, describing changes or processes that unfold in distinct stages rather than all at once. It is used across many domains, including science, engineering, education, medicine, and public policy, to emphasize phased progression.

Etymology: The word derives from fok (degree, level) and fokozat (a step, stage), with the suffix -os forming an adjective. The related adverb is fokozatosan, meaning gradually or progressively.

Usage: Typical collocations include fokozatos terhelés (increasing load in steps), fokozatos bevezetés (phased introduction), and fokozatos felépítés (gradual construction). In everyday language one can say a jelenség fokozatosan alakult ki or a rendszer fokozatosan fejlődött; however, fokozatosan is the adverb form.

Nuances and alternatives: Fokozatos generally implies planned or permitted progression, as opposed to abrupt or hirtelen change. Synonyms include lépcsőzetes (stepwise) and, in some technical contexts, gradális. The term contrasts with immediate or sudden changes, and it is often used to describe policies, safety protocols, or developmental processes that are implemented in stages.

See also: fokozat, fokozatosan, lépcsőzetes fejlődés.