mintegy

Mintegy is a Hungarian adverb meaning approximately, around, or roughly. It is used to give an imprecise figure or extent without committing to an exact value.

The word typically precedes numerals or quantified phrases: mintegy harminc ember, mintegy öt kilométerre, or mintegy egy nap alatt. It can soften statements about size, distance, time, or quantity, and it is common in both spoken and written Hungarian.

In usage, mintegy is often close in meaning to körülbelül or nagyjából, but it carries a slightly different nuance. It emphasizes a rough boundary or ballpark figure rather than an exact estimate. The term is widely used across registers, though in highly formal contexts writers may opt for körülbelül.

Etymology and status: the exact historical origin of mintegy is not readily established in modern sources. It is considered a native Hungarian adverb with long-standing usage. The word remains a standard part of everyday Hungarian, valued for its brevity and flexibility in indicating approximation.