értelmetlen

Értelmetlen is a Hungarian adjective meaning lacking meaning, sense, or rational justification. It is used to describe statements, ideas, actions, or situations that do not convey useful information, are illogical, or fail to make sense.

Etymology: The word is formed from értelem, meaning sense or understanding, with the suffix -tlen, which denotes absence or lack. Thus értelmetlen literally translates to “without sense.”

Usage: Értelmetlen is commonly used in both everyday speech and formal writing to express that something is pointless, nonsensical, or indefensible. It can modify nouns or be used predicatively: értelmetlen beszéd (senseless talk), értelmetlen ötlet (a meaningless idea), értelmetlen tett (a senseless act). The term often carries a critical or evaluative tone, indicating a perceived lack of value, coherence, or justification.

Examples:

- Ez értelmetlen gondolat. (This is a meaningless thought.)

- Az értelmetlen döntés miatt problémák adódtak. (The senseless decision caused problems.)

- Mit beszélsz, ez teljesen értelmetlen? (What are you talking about, this makes no sense?)

See also: értelem (sense, meaning), értelmezés (interpretation), nonsensical, meaningless. The term can be contrasted with értelmes, meaning sensible or meaningful, and értelmetlen is often used to critique reasoning, explanations, or actions rather than to describe people.