viszonyszó

Viszonyszó is a term used in Hungarian grammar to describe words that express a relation between elements within a sentence. It is a broad category intended to cover words that serve to connect clauses or to link noun phrases with other parts of the sentence. In some grammar traditions viszonyszó functions as an umbrella label for several subtypes, most notably conjunctions and words that introduce relative clauses.

Two main subtypes are typically included under viszonyszó in traditional descriptions. The first is kötőszó, or conjunctions, which connect sentences or clauses and indicate relations such as addition, contrast, choice, reason, or consequence. Examples include és (and), vagy (or), de (but), mert (because), hogy (that), and ha (if). The second subtype concerns words that link a main clause to a subordinate or relative clause, often referred to as viszonyító szavak or relative words, such as aki, amely, amit, amelyik, amit mondasz. These establish reference to antecedents and introduce dependent clauses.

Usage and terminology vary by grammar tradition. In contemporary Hungarian grammars the term viszonyszó is less commonly used as a formal category; items commonly classified as viszonyszók are usually described under kötőszó (conjunction) or under viszonyos névmás / viszonyító névmás (relative pronouns). Nonetheless, viszonyszó remains a useful historical or pedagogical label for describing how certain words express relations within sentences, particularly in explaining how clauses are connected or how reference is established between elements.

See also: kötőszó, viszonyos névmás, viszonyító névmás.