látszólag

Látszólag is a Hungarian adverb meaning “apparently” or “on the surface.” It signals that something appears to be the case according to outward signs, but the statement may not reflect the deeper or actual situation. The word is often used to hedge claims or to introduce a cautious assessment.

In use, látszólag places distance between appearance and reality. It is common in narrative and analytical writing as well as everyday speech. For example: Látszólag minden rendben van, de a részletek szerint nem így van. This hedges the assertion, inviting verification or suggesting uncertainty. The term can convey skepticism without asserting a falsehood, preserving neutrality while indicating doubt.

Etymology and form: látszólag is formed from the adjective látszó (apparent, visible), itself related to látás and látszik (to seem), with the adverbial suffix -lag. The result is a word that modifies a clause to express that the stated fact is only superficially true.

Nuance and usage: látszólag contrasts with more definitive terms like nyilvánvalóan (obviously) or biztosan (certainly). It is versatile in journalism, academic writing, and conversation, used to report an interpretation that could change with new information. While generally neutral, it can carry a subtle undertone of doubt or critique, depending on context and emphasis.

See also: Hungarian adverbs formed with the -lag suffix; phrases that express appearance versus reality; synonyms such as úgy látszik, úgy tűnik, nyilvánvalóan (with varying degrees of certainty).