oldalán

Oldalán is a Hungarian locative form meaning on the side of or on its side. It is derived from the noun oldal, meaning side, and the locative suffix -án, forming a postpositional phrase that attaches to a head noun. The word is used to express spatial relationships and can function similarly to the English “on the side of.”

Usage and construction:

- The basic pattern is X oldalán, meaning on the side of X. For example, ház oldalán means on the side of the house, kocsi oldalán means on the side of the car.

- The form is often preceded by the noun it modifies, and can be incorporated into noun phrases such as the side-of-phrase: a ház oldalán egy ablak található (There is a window on the side of the house).

Examples:

- A ház oldalán egy ablak található. There is a window on the side of the house.

- A kocsi oldalán lévő díszítőcsík rozsdásodott. The decorative stripe on the car’s side has rusted.

- A hegy oldalán kanyargó út vezet. A road winding along the side of the mountain.

Etymology and form:

- Oldalán is formed from oldal (side) plus the locative suffix -án, reflecting Hungarian vowel harmony. The same mechanism allows this form to attach to various nouns to indicate location on a surface or flank.

See also:

- Hungarian locative cases

- Valaminek az oldalán (on the side of something)