huszonnégy

Huszonnégy is the Hungarian cardinal numeral for the number 24. It is used in counting, in expressing time, dates, ages, and measurements, and appears in everyday language as well as in mathematical or technical contexts. For example, a 24-hour day can be described as “huszonnégy órás nap,” and someone who is 24 years old can be said to be “huszonnégy éves.”

Etymology and formation: The word is formed from húsz, meaning twenty, and négy, meaning four. In Hungarian, numbers from 21 to 29 are typically expressed as a single fused form derived from húsz plus the unit, with 24 specifically written as huszonnégy. This spelling reflects regular phonological assimilation when the tens and units are combined. The standard form in modern Hungarian orthography is huszonnégy.

Orthography and usage: Huszonnégy is a fixed lexical item and is used before a noun or in periphrastic constructions to denote the quantity 24. Like other Hungarian numerals, it appears before the noun it modifies and does not carry gender. It can also form part of compound phrases such as time or age expressions (for example, huszonnégy éves). The term is considered a basic component of Hungarian numerals and is found in dictionaries, language textbooks, and general usage.

See also: Hungarian numbers, Hungarian language, counting systems.