kímél

Kímél is a Hungarian verb meaning to spare, to refrain from causing harm, or to conserve resources. It encompasses several related senses: showing mercy toward a person by avoiding unnecessary harm, and using resources in a restrained, economical way. In everyday language it can be used both transitively (to spare something or someone) and in broader expressions about precaution and frugality. The word is a native Hungarian verb and forms part of common speech, with various tense and mood forms depending on context.

In usage, kímél is often employed to urge gentleness or protection. For example, one can say, “Kíméld meg őt a bajtól,” meaning “Spare him from trouble.” It is also used in contexts of resource management: “Kíméld meg az erőforrásokat” or “Kíméld az energiát,” meaning to conserve or use resources sparingly. The related adjective kímélő describes something sparing or gentle, as in “kímélő megközelítés” (a sparing/low-impact approach). The form megkímél, with a meg- prefix, expresses a completed act of sparing, as in “megkímélte az életedet” (he spared his life).

Etymology-wise, kímél is a native Hungarian verb, with no widely attested cognates outside the language. It is closely related to concepts of economy and protection in Hungarian, such as spórolás (saving) and takarékosság (frugality). Related adjectives include kímélő and kíméletes, which describe manners or methods that are careful, gentle, or frugal.