kevésbé

Kevésbé is a Hungarian degree adverb meaning “less” or “to a lesser extent.” It forms the comparative of the quantifier kevés (meaning “little” or “few”) and is used to indicate a reduced degree of a quality described by an adjective or another adverb. The word functions to scale intensity rather than quantity and does not change form for gender or number.

In usage, kevésbé typically precedes the word it modifies and can appear in sentences with both adjectives and other adverbs. For example: “Kevésbé fontos a döntés, mint gondoltuk” or more naturally, “A döntés kevésbé fontos, mint gondoltuk.” “Ez a megoldás kevésbé bonyolult” means “This solution is less complicated.” It can also appear with negation to express a strong emphasis that something is not less in importance or impact: “A tény nem kevésbé fontos, mint amilyennek látszik.”

Etymology and form: kevésbé is derived from kevés (little, few) with the comparative suffix -bé, yielding an adverb that does not inflect for case or number. It is distinct from its verbal counterparts and should not be confused with expressions indicating physical size or quantity; kevésbé expresses degree of a property or characteristic.

Notes on usage: kevésbé is versatile in both spoken and written Hungarian and commonly appears in formal, analytical, or evaluative contexts to compare degrees of quality, intensity, or frequency. It pairs with a wide range of gradable adjectives and adverbs, helping to articulate nuanced assessments.