kilenc

Kilenc is the Hungarian word for the cardinal number nine. It is used in counting, measuring, and expressing quantities, and forms the basis of numerous numerical expressions in everyday language. In phrases that denote quantity, kilenc is followed by a noun, typically in its singular form, as in kilenc ember (nine people) or kilenc nap (nine days). It can also appear in time and date expressions, such as kilenc óra (nine o’clock).

Etymology and linguistic context: The exact historical origin of kilenc is not fully settled. It is a native Hungarian numeral and part of the early Finno-Ugric–based numeral system. While related numerals exist in other Uralic languages, the forms are not direct cognates, and kilenc represents a distinct development within Hungarian.

Grammatical notes: Kilenc is a numeral adjective and interacts with the noun it modifies through standard Hungarian agreement rules. The corresponding ordinal form is kilencedik, meaning ninth, used for ranking or position (e.g., a kilencedik nap— the ninth day).

Cultural and numerical usage: Besides everyday counting, kilenc appears in longer terms such as kilencvenes évek, which denotes the 1990s in Hungarian. The word is also encountered in mathematical contexts and in various idiomatic expressions where the quantity nine is involved.

See also: Numbers in Hungarian, List of Hungarian numerals, Hungarian language.