átgondolni

átgondolni is a Hungarian verb meaning to think over or to reconsider something thoroughly. It is used when someone wants to re-evaluate a decision, proposal, or plan, often to ensure a more careful outcome. The action is transitive, typically taking a direct object such as a decision, plan, or option (for example: átgondolni egy döntést, átgondolni a lehetőségeket).

Etymology and form: the word is formed from the prefix át- meaning over or through, combined with gondolni, to think. The prefix adds the sense of doing the thinking again or in a more thorough way. As a full verb, it follows standard Hungarian conjugation patterns, including different prefixes in tenses and persons. The past participle is átgondolt, used adjectivally as in átgondolt döntés (a well-thought-out decision).

Usage notes: átgondolni emphasizes deliberate reconsideration rather than a quick thought. It is common in personal decision-making, business planning, and policy discussions. It can appear in imperative, indicative, and conditional forms, and is often paired with adverbial framing such as alaposan (thoroughly) or még (yet) to stress the depth of reflection.

Examples:

- Meg kell átgondolnunk a lehetőségeket. (We need to rethink the options.)

- Az a döntés egy alaposan átgondolt terv volt. (That decision was a well-thought-out plan.)

- Átgondolhatnád a javaslatot, mielőtt szavazol. (You could think over the proposal before voting.)

See also: gondolni (to think), gondolat (thought), tanácsadás és döntés folyamatai.