szélénél

Szélénél is a Hungarian word that translates to "at the edge" or "on the border" in English. It is a locative case ending, indicating a position that is peripheral or at the boundary of something. The word is formed by adding the suffix -nél/-nél to the stem of a noun. The specific suffix used depends on vowel harmony rules in Hungarian. For example, "asztal" (table) becomes "asztalnál" (at the table), while "ház" (house) becomes "háznál" (at the house).

This grammatical form is used to denote not only physical proximity to an edge but also metaphorical situations. For instance, one might be "életénél fogva" (holding onto life), implying being at the very brink of survival. It can also indicate proximity to a group or an event, such as being "a barátoknál" (at the friends', meaning at their place or among their group). The specific meaning is often clear from the context in which it is used. Understanding this case ending is crucial for comprehending Hungarian sentence structure and spatial relationships. It is a fundamental element of the language's grammatical system.