áthidalni

Áthidalni is a Hungarian verb meaning to bridge or to span a gap. It can be used in a literal sense, referring to crossing or connecting two places with a physical structure, or in a figurative sense, meaning to overcome obstacles or to reconcile differences. The word is formed from the prefix át- meaning across and the noun híd (bridge), with the infinitive suffix -ni, producing a transitive verb.

In literal usage, áthidalni describes actions that connect two sides by a bridge or other spanning structure. For example, engineers may plan a project that áthidalja a folyót, i.e., spans the river to enable passage between the banks. In figurative usage, it denotes overcoming or bridging non-physical gaps, such as political, cultural, or social divides. A common construction is áthidalni a különbségeket, a nézetkülönbségeket, or a ellentéteket.

The verb is regular in its conjugation, following the patterns of other -ni verbs in Hungarian. It readily combines with prefixes and adjectives, and is frequently found in collocations such as áthidaló megoldás (bridging solution) or áthidaló intézkedések (bridging measures). The related noun áthidalás refers to the act or result of bridging.

Etymologically, the term derives from át- (across) and híd (bridge), illustrating the core idea of creating a connection over a gap. As such, áthidalni encompasses both concrete, architectural bridging and more abstract processes of reconciliation or integration.