illegális

Illegális is a Hungarian adjective meaning forbidden by law or not authorized by legal regulations. It is used to describe actions, goods, or organizations that violate the legal framework or operate outside its permission. The term appears in legal discourse, policy discussions, media reporting, and everyday language to characterize conduct that lacks a valid legal basis.

Etymology and usage notes: Illegális derives from Latin illegalis, meaning “not belonging to the law,” and entered Hungarian through European linguistic influence. It is closely related to equivalents in other languages, such as English illegal and French illégal. In Hungarian, illegális is commonly paired with nouns to denote unlawful activity or status, for example illegális bevándorlás (illegal immigration) or illegális kereskedelem (illegal trade).

Nuances and distinctions: In legal contexts, illegális emphasizes the absence of legal authorization or contravention of statutes. It is often contrasted with törvénytelen, which can carry a broader sense of unlawfulness, sometimes including moral or constitutional dimensions, and with tilos, meaning strictly forbidden. While illegális is widely used in media and official language, the choice among these terms can depend on tone and jurisdictional nuance.

See also: illegality, illegal immigration, illegal drugs, illegal trade, black market.