kötmelléknévi

The term *kötmelléknévi* refers to a grammatical concept found in Hungarian linguistics, specifically related to the formation of adjectives from verbs. In Hungarian, verbs can derive adjectives by adding the suffix *-melléknévi* (literally "adjective-forming"), which transforms the verb into an adjective expressing a state or quality resulting from the verb's action. This process is distinct from other adjective-formation methods in Hungarian, such as suffixes like *-os* or *-i*, which often indicate possession or relation rather than a derived state.

The *-melléknévi* suffix typically attaches to the stem of the verb, often after removing the infinitive ending *-ni*. For example, the verb *fázik* ("to be cold") can form the adjective *fázmelléknévi* (though more commonly, the shortened form *fázott* is used colloquially). Another example is *fekszik* ("to lie"), which derives *fekvő* ("lying"), though this is a more regular adjective formation. The *-melléknévi* suffix is less common in modern usage but appears in older or literary contexts, such as *törő* ("breaking," from *tör*) or *olvasmelléknévi* ("reading," from *olvas*).

This suffix is part of a broader category of derivational morphology in Hungarian, where verbs can generate adjectives denoting temporary or permanent states. However, many such adjectives have evolved into independent forms or been replaced by more common patterns. The *-melléknévi* suffix is primarily of historical and theoretical interest, illustrating the language’s complex system of word formation. It reflects the Hungarian tendency to derive lexical categories flexibly, often blurring the boundaries between verbs, adjectives, and nouns.