Átlényegítenek

Átlényegítenek is a Hungarian verb meaning to distort or misrepresent the core essence of something. The term is formed from the prefix át- meaning “across, over”, the noun lényeg “essence, core”, and the suffix –íteni “to make, to cause”. Verbally, it describes the act of taking a concept, statement or action and altering its fundamental meaning, often with a connotation of exaggeration or simplification.

The expression is used both in literary criticism and everyday speech. In a critique of a literary work, a reviewer might say that a character’s motives have been átlényegítve, implying the analysis has overlooked key nuances. In casual conversation one could accuse someone of átlényegíteni a story, meaning they have twisted the narrative’s essential truth. The verb can refer to both intentional manipulation and unintentional misreading.

Synonyms include átértelmezni (reinterpret), átalakítani (transform), or erőltetve kényszeríteni (to forcefully convert), although átlényegíteni carries a particular sense of distorting the core idea rather than merely changing form. The word is recognized by major Hungarian dictionaries such as Magyar Merriam‑Webster and the Szegedi Népihlet 1 dictionary. It exemplifies how Hungarian compounding can convey nuanced shade of meaning in a single lexical item.