oldalára

Oldalára is a Hungarian directional expression formed from the noun oldal (side, edge, or page) combined with the directional suffix -ára, and often with an accompanying possessive marker to indicate “its.” The result translates roughly as “onto its side” or “to its side,” and it marks movement toward or onto the surface or edge of a referenced object. In everyday usage, oldalára appears after a noun when describing where something moves or is oriented relative to that noun.

In practice, the phrase is used with verbs of motion or orientation. For example, a sentence might describe an object rolling toward the side of another object, or a figure turning to face the side of a thing. Common contexts include physical movement, such as “A labda az asztal oldalára gurult” (The ball rolled to the side of the table), and situational phrases like “a hajó oldalára fordult” (the ship rolled onto its side). The exact nuance—toward, onto, or onto the surface—depends on the verb and overall context.

Morphologically, oldalára is built from oldal, the possessive marker indicating ownership when necessary, and the directional suffix -ára, which follows Hungarian vowel harmony rules. Although primarily literal, it can also appear in figurative or descriptive uses where the side or edge of an object is the point of reference.

Etymology traces back to the base noun oldal meaning side or page, with the standard Hungarian directional suffix -ára appended to express movement toward that side. See also Hungarian suffixes -ra/-re and the system of postpositions and possessive markers.