élet

Élet is the Hungarian noun meaning life. It denotes the condition of being alive and, more broadly, the concept of existence, vitality, and the course of a person’s life. In biology it can refer to living systems as distinct from inanimate matter; in philosophy and everyday speech it appears in discussions of meaning, purpose, health, and daily living. The word occurs in many compounds, such as életszakasz (life stage), életkor (age), életrajz (biography), életmű (body of work), and élettárs (life partner). The phrase az élet értelme (the meaning of life) is a standard motif in Hungarian thought and literature.

Etymology and orthography: The term is native to Hungarian. It is typically analyzed as derived from the verb él, “to live,” with a nominal suffix, reflecting a close link between living and life. Spelling uses the acute accent on é, indicating a long vowel, in line with contemporary Hungarian orthography.