illetékes

Illetékes is a Hungarian adjective meaning having jurisdiction or authority over a matter; in English it is often rendered as competent, authorized, or the relevant. It is used to designate the person, body, or office responsible for handling a given issue, most commonly in phrases such as az illetékes hatóság (the competent authority) or az illetékes osztály (the appropriate department). The term can modify a noun, as in az illetékes hatóság, or function predicatively, as in a kérelem az illetékes hatóság intézi (the competent authority is handling the request).

Etymology: Illetékes derives from illeték, which historically denotes duty, obligation, or jurisdiction, combined with the suffix -es to form an adjective meaning “having that duty or power.” The sense is closely related to being vested with responsibility or authority.

Usage notes: In formal and legal Hungarian, illetékes identifies the legally empowered authority or person for a given matter. It does not itself confer power; rather, the context indicates which body has jurisdiction. It is commonly paired with nouns like hatóság (authority), osztály (department), vagy szerv (agency), and its exact scope is defined by applicable laws or regulations.

Examples:

- Az illetékes hatóság dönt a kérelmet. (The competent authority decides the application.)

- Kérjük, forduljon az illetékes osztályhoz a panasszal. (Please contact the competent department with your complaint.)

- A nyomtatványt az illetékes szervhez kell benyújtani. (The form must be submitted to the appropriate agency.)