Átfolyik

Átfolyik is a Hungarian verb meaning to flow across or through something, typically describing liquids moving over a surface or through a geographic boundary. It combines the prefix át- with the verb folyik (to flow) and is used intransitively with a locational complement indicating what is crossed or passed.

The term is common in hydrology and geography. It describes how water moves through a landscape or infrastructure: a river or stream crossing through a city or across a valley. Examples include A Duna átfolyik a városon (The Danube flows through the city) and A patak átfolyik a völgyön (The brook flows through the valley). It can also describe water moving over surfaces such as roof runoff: Az esővíz átfolyik a tetőn.

Grammatical notes: átfolyik is a prefixed form of folyik; the prefix át- indicates motion across or over an obstacle. The verb is typically used with a locative object in the -on/-en/-ön form to mark the surface or boundary being crossed, for example városon, völgyön, tetőn. It has standard Hungarian tense forms: the past tense is átfolyt, and the future can be expressed with átfolyik majd or egyszerűen átfolyik a jövőben.

Usage context and limits: the verb is chiefly employed for physical movement of liquids, especially water, and is less common for abstract or non-liquid flows. In those cases, other verbs or expressions are usually preferred.