tulajdonképpen
Tulajdonképpen is a Hungarian adverb meaning “actually,” “in fact,” or “to tell the truth.” It is used to reveal the real point behind what has been said, often introducing a clarification or correction or shifting from a surface reading to the essence of a matter. The word is common in both everyday speech and written Hungarian, and it carries a nuance of stepping from impression to factual accuracy without harshness.
Etymology and form: The term is native Hungarian, formed from tulajdon (ownership, one’s own) with the adverbial
Grammatical notes and usage: Tulajdonképpen is an invariable adverb and can appear sentence-initially or in the
Nuance and context: The word signals that the speaker is presenting a more precise or fundamental truth
- Tulajdonképpen mindannyian egyetértünk. (Actually, we all agree.)
- Tulajdonképpen ez a megoldás működik, csak lassabban halad. (In truth, this solution works, albeit more slowly.)