jobbá

jobbá is a Hungarian grammatical form used to express transformation into a better state. It is not a standalone adjective but a resultative complement derived from the comparative adjective jobb (better). The form is typically employed with verbs of becoming, most often the verb válik (to become), to indicate that something turns into a better version or condition.

Formation and usage

The wordjobbá is created by taking the comparative adjective jobb and adding the suffix -á, which marks the destination state in constructions with change-of-state verbs. In standard use, it appears in phrases such as the present or past tense of válik: "jobbbá válik" or "jobbbá vált," meaning “becomes better” or “became better.” The complement must agree with the predicate and indicates the quality into which the subject changes. The construction is common in formal and written Hungarian and is less frequent in casual speech.

Examples

- A terv jobbá vált. (The plan became better.)

- A helyzet egyre jobbbá válik. (The situation is becoming better.)

- A döntéseket úgy hozták, hogy a kilátások jobbbá váljanak. (The decisions were made so that the prospects would become better.)

Relation to other forms

jobbá is part of a family of forms formed with -á/-vé that express resulting states in Hungarian. It contrasts with jóvá, which appears in different grammatical contexts, and with forms built directly from the root jó with other suffixes. The use of jobbá is tied to predicative constructions describing change rather than attributive descriptions.

Etymology and overview

Originates from the adjective jó, its comparative jobb, plus the suffix -á, functioning as a state-forming complement in verbs of transformation. It is a niche but productive element in Hungarian grammar for expressing improvement as a result of an action or process.