puhák

Puhák is a Hungarian term that can function as the plural form of the nominalized adjective puha, meaning “the soft ones” or “soft things.” In ordinary use, puhák refers to multiple items described as soft, such as fabrics, bread, or other materials; it can also be used metaphorically to describe people or situations regarded as gentle or lenient. The word is created from the adjective puha (soft) plus the standard Hungarian plural suffix -k.

Etymology and grammar: puha is an old Hungarian word meaning soft or fluffy. When used as a noun, adjectives in Hungarian can denote the set of things described, yielding puhák as the plural form. This nominalization is a common grammatical feature of the language, allowing concise reference to groups of objects by their described quality.

Usage notes: The noun reading of puha/puhák is relatively common in written Hungarian and in contexts where a speaker wants to refer succinctly to items characterized by softness. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer to name the objects directly (e.g., “a puha anyagok” for “the soft materials”) rather than rely on the noun form.

Other uses: In Hungarian-language contexts, puhák can also appear as a surname or as part of place-names. These uses are independent of the adjectival noun formation and reflect broader naming patterns in Hungarian.

See also: puha; puhaság; Hungarian grammar; adjectives used as nouns.