háromfokozatú

Háromfokozatú is a Hungarian compound adjective that literally means "three-stage" or "consisting of three stages." It is used to describe objects, processes, or systems that operate in three distinct phases or levels. The term is formed from the numbers három (three) and fokozat (stage, degree) with the adjectival suffix -ú. The form is invariable, meaning it does not change for number or case; the head noun carries the appropriate endings. For example: háromfokozatú rakéta (three-stage rocket), háromfokozatú hajtómű (three-stage propulsion system), háromfokozatú szűrő (three-stage filter).

Etymology and grammatical notes: fokozat derives from fokozat, a noun meaning a level or stage, with the suffix -ozat forming a substantive notion of a level or stage. The combination with három yields an adjective describing a three-stage characteristic. In Hungarian grammar, adjectives generally precede the noun and do not inflect for number or case; the noun inflects as required (e.g., rakéta, rakéták; rakétában, rakétákban).

Usage and context: The term is common in technical, engineering, and scientific contexts to specify that a mechanism or process comprises three sequential stages. It is often found in discussions of propulsion, filtration, amplification, or testing sequences. While primarily a technical descriptor, háromfokozatú may appear in translated technical literature or formal descriptions where a precise, multi-stage architecture is being noted. Related terms include other numeric-stage constructions in Hungarian, used to convey similar multi-stage concepts.