tárgyalást

Tárgyalás is a Hungarian noun with two primary meanings. It commonly refers to a process of discussion aimed at reaching an agreement, i.e., negotiation. It also denotes a legal proceeding, a court trial or hearing. The form tárgyalást is the accusative singular, used when the negotiation or the trial is the direct object of the verb (for example: A felek a tárgyalást megkezdték; A bíróság a tárgyalást lefolytatja).

In the negotiation sense, tárgyalás covers discussions between parties such as governments, employers and unions, or international actors. Typical phrases include béketárgyalások (peace talks) and tárgyalások a felek között (negotiations between the parties). The goal is to find a mutually acceptable agreement or settlement. In the legal sense, tárgyalás refers to a court proceeding, including hearings and trials conducted before a judge. Examples include nyilvános tárgyalás (public hearing) and elsőfokú tárgyalás (first‑instance trial). The legal sense is often specified by modifiers such as bírósági vagy közigazgatási, to indicate the forum.

Etymology and grammar: tárgyalás derives from tárgy (matter, subject) with the suffix -alás, signaling a process or activity related to discussing matters. The noun is declined as a regular Hungarian feminine-associated form, with tárgyalást serving as the accusative singular. Related forms include tárgyalások (nominative plural) and tárgyalásokat (accusative plural). The word is neutral and widely used in formal, institutional, and everyday language.