valamelyik

Valamelyik is a Hungarian determiner and pronoun meaning “some,” “a certain one,” or “one of (a known group).” It is used to refer to a single item within a set without specifying which member is meant, often when the speaker assumes the listener knows the scope of the group.

The form is built from valami (some/somewhat) and egyik (one of a set). It belongs to a family of expressions that indicate non-specific specificity, long with related words such as valamely and bármelyik, which carry different nuances. Valamelyik contrasts with bármelyik (any one, whichever) by signaling a particular, though unidentified, member rather than any possible choice.

Usage notes:

- As a modifier, it precedes a noun: valami lyik könyv is more commonly heard as valamelyik könyv, meaning “one of the books” or “a certain book.”

- As a pronoun, it can stand alone or take a suffix: valamelyikük means “one of them,” and valamelyiket means “one of them” as a direct object.

- In questions and answers, it functions similarly to other forms of kiválasztás: Melyik könyvet olvasod? Valamelyiket. Valamelyik elmondta az igazat. It can also appear in time expressions, e.g., valamelyik nap.

Examples:

- Valamelyik diák már leadta a feladatot. (One of the students has already submitted the task.)

- Valamelyikük szerint ez a megoldás helyes. (One of them thinks this solution is correct.)

- Valamelyik nap találkozunk. (We will meet one of these days.)

See also: valamely, valamelyik, bármelyik, egyik.