átfordítani

Átfordítani is a Hungarian verb formed from the prefix át- and the verb fordítani (to turn or to translate). It has several related but distinct senses, spanning physical action, transformation of form, and, in some contexts, translation of a text into another language. In standard language use, the word fordítani or lefordítani is typically preferred for translation, while átfordítani emphasizes crossing or reversing a process or form.

Common senses and usage

- Physical action: to turn, flip, or invert something over or around its axis, such as turning a page or a plate. Example: A lapot át kell fordítani, hogy megnézzük a másik oldalát.

- Transformation or reinterpretation: to change the form or presentation of something, often in a deliberate or reversible way. Example: A szöveget átfordította úgy, hogy a jelentés megmaradjon, de a stílus más legyen.

- Translation in a broader or less formal sense: occasionally used to mean translating a text into another language, but lefordítani is generally preferred for this sense; átfordítani may emphasize the act of transformation rather than the act of rendering into another language.

Grammar and forms

- It is a regular verb formed from fordítani. Present tense: én átfordítom, te átfordítod, ő átfordítja, mi átfordítjuk, ti átfordítjátok, ők átfordítják.

- Past tense: átfordítottam, átfordítottad, átfordította, etc. Past participle: átfordított (used as an adjective: átfordított szöveg).

Related terms

- lefordítani: to translate into another language (standard term for translation)

- fordító: translator

- fordítás: translation; in some senses also act of turning or rendering.