Óvatos

Óvatos is a Hungarian adjective meaning careful or cautious. It describes a person or approach that avoids unnecessary risk and acts with prudence. The term can modify nouns directly (for example, óvatos ember, “a careful person”) and can characterize actions or behaviors (óvatos lépés, “a cautious step”). The adverb form is óvatosan, used to describe how an action is performed, and the related noun óvatosság denotes the quality of caution.

Etymology and forms: The word is formed from the root óv-, meaning to protect or guard, with the adjectival suffix -atos to express a characteristic. In use, óvatos can take comparative and superlative forms such as óvatosabb (“more cautious”) and legóvatosabb (“the most cautious”). The corresponding noun form, óvatosság, names the abstract quality of caution.

Usage and nuances: Óvatos is generally neutral or positive, implying careful consideration and risk awareness. It contrasts with more impulsive or reckless conduct. In many contexts, it pairs with synonyms such as elővigyázatos (careful, vigilant) or elővigyázatosság (caution). The common adverbial form óvatosan specifies the manner of action, as in performing a task cautiously.

See also: Óvatosság; elővigyázatosság; elővigyázatos.