helytálló

Helytálló is a Hungarian adjective describing a person, decision, or thing that can hold its ground under pressure. It conveys steadiness, dependability, and the capacity to withstand adversity without yielding. When applied to people, it often characterizes someone who remains steadfast, follows through with commitments, and acts with composure in difficult circumstances. It can also modify non-human nouns in a figurative sense, such as helytálló döntés or helytálló védelem, meaning a decision or defense that holds up under testing or attack.

Etymology and usage history: the word derives from hely (place) and áll (to stand). While originally literal, it gained a figurative sense in military and civil language to praise those who stand their ground. The sense of resilience broadened over time to describe character traits and institutional robustness.

Usage notes: helytálló emphasizes the ability to maintain one’s position under pressure, rather than merely enduring. It is somewhat formal or literary and appears in journalism, public discourse, and literary texts when praising steadfast conduct. It is not synonymous with gyáva (coward) or mere toughness, but closer to rendíthetetlen or kitartó in spirit.

Common collocations include helytálló ember, helytálló álláspont, helytálló döntés, and helytálló védelem. The term carries a positive tone and is used to commend reliability and perseverance in the face of challenge.