tönkretesz

Tönkretesz is a Hungarian verb meaning to ruin, spoil, or wreck something. It is used transitively, taking a direct object to indicate that the subject causes the ruin of that object. The action often carries a strong negative connotation and can describe both tangible things and more abstract concepts.

Origin and formation: The verb is built from the prefix tönkre- combined with the verb tesz (to do/make). The prefix conveys ruin or destruction, so tönkretesz expresses the act of causing something to become ruined. This form is part of a broader set of Hungarian prefixed verbs that express damage or destruction.

Usage and nuance: Tönkretesz is commonly used with objects such as equipment, plans, projects, or relationships. It tends to imply more complete or irreversible damage than milder verbs like megrongál (to damage) or rombol (to demolish). In both everyday speech and journalism, it is employed to describe situations where something is ruined or rendered unusable as a result of a particular action or decision.

Grammatical notes: It is a finite verb that requires a direct object in the accusative case. Like other Hungarian verbs with prefixes, its tense and mood are formed according to standard conjugation rules, with the prefix tönkre- retained across forms. The past forms align with the standard Hungarian system for perfective and imperfective aspects.

Related terms: tönkremegy (to go to ruin), megrongál (to damage). The verb fits into a semantic field describing deterioration and breakdown, and is widely understood across registers from casual speech to formal writing.