idõtartam

Időtartam is a Hungarian noun meaning the length of time something lasts; duration. The term is formed from idő, time, and tartam, duration or span, and it denotes the period during which an event, condition, or obligation continues.

Usage and scope

Időtartam is commonly used in legal, administrative, and everyday contexts to specify how long a contract, license, subscription, or permit remains in effect, or how long an activity or study lasts. For example, one might refer to the időtartam of a lease, the időtartam of a permit, or the időtartam of a clinical trial. The phrase az időtartama alatt means "during its duration." The word emphasizes length rather than a fixed calendar point.

Relation to related terms

Időtartam is related to, but distinct from, other time terms. Időszak refers more broadly to a period or season, while időintervallum denotes a specific interval with defined start and end times. In practice, choosing between these terms depends on whether the focus is on duration, a calendar period, or a defined time span within a schedule.

Grammar and usage notes

Időtartam is a singular countable noun; its plural form is időtartamok, though plurals are relatively rare in ordinary speech, where the duration is described with a phrase or a specific measure (e.g., "öt évig" meaning "for five years"). Examples illustrate typical usage in formal and informal contexts.

See also

Duration concepts in Hungarian include időtartam, időszak, and időintervallum, each highlighting a different aspect of time.