egyrészt... másrészt...
On One Hand … on the Other
Use egyrészt... másrészt... to organize a balanced argument or to list two different aspects of a situation. It is the standard way to say 'on one hand... on the other hand' in formal Hungarian.
How It Works
The pattern egyrészt... másrészt... is essential for formal and academic Hungarian. It allows a speaker to weigh multiple factors without necessarily implying that one cancels out the other.
1. Placement and Punctuation:
These words usually appear at the beginning of their respective clauses. Because másrészt typically starts a new clause, it must be preceded by a comma. In some cases, they can follow the subject for emphasis (e.g., A terv egyrészt jó...).
2. Logical Function:
Unlike contrast connectors like de (but), which focus on contradiction, this pair focuses on structure. You are telling the listener: 'Here is point A, and here is point B.'
3. Standalone Usage:
While egyrészt almost always requires a following másrészt, the word másrészt can be used alone at the start of a sentence to mean 'Furthermore' or 'From another perspective,' even if the previous sentence did not start with egyrészt.
4. Formal Alternatives:
In very formal or literary contexts, you may encounter the pair egyfelől... másfelől.... This functions identically to egyrészt... másrészt... but carries a slightly more sophisticated tone.
5. Spelling Note:
Be careful not to confuse the adverb egyrészt with the noun phrase egy részt (one part/portion). The adverb is always a single word, while the noun phrase is two words and usually refers to a physical piece of something.
6. Extensions:
If you have a third point, you can continue the sequence with harmadrészt (thirdly/on the third hand).
Examples (4)
- Egyrészt örülök a lehetőségnek, másrészt viszont tartok a felelősségtől.
On the one hand, I am happy about the opportunity; on the other hand, I am afraid of the responsibility.
Word by Word: On-one-part I-am-happy the opportunity-to, on-other-part however I-fear the responsibility-from.
This shows a classic contrast between two feelings using the correlative pair.
- Ez a döntés egyrészt gazdaságilag előnyös, másrészt társadalmilag vitatott.
This decision is, on the one hand, economically advantageous; on the other, socially controversial.
Word by Word: This the decision on-one-part economically advantageous, on-other-part socially controversial.
Here, the adverbs are placed after the subject to emphasize the specific attributes of the decision.
- Egyrészt nem volt elég időnk, másrészt a pénzünk is elfogyott.
On the one hand, we didn't have enough time; on the other, we also ran out of money.
Word by Word: On-one-part not was enough time-our, on-other-part the money-our also ran-out.
In this case, the two points are not opposites; they are two different reasons supporting the same negative outcome.
- Másrészt nem szabad elfelejtenünk a környezeti hatásokat sem.
On the other hand, we must not forget the environmental impacts either.
Word by Word: On-other-part not free to-forget-our the environmental impacts neither.
This demonstrates how 'másrészt' can be used alone to introduce a new perspective in a discussion.
Common Mistakes
Confusing the adverb 'egyrészt' with the noun phrase 'egy részt'.
Egy részt a lakás kicsi, másrészt drága.Egyrészt a lakás kicsi, másrészt drága.The adverb 'egyrészt' (on one hand) is always written as one word. Writing it as two words ('egy részt') changes the meaning to 'one part' or 'one portion' (e.g., 'Egy részt kérek a tortából' - I want one piece of the cake).
Forgetting the second half of the pair.
Different MeaningEgyrészt a film túl hosszú volt. A vége viszont tetszett.Egyrészt a film túl hosszú volt, másrészt a vége viszont tetszett.In formal writing, if you start a point with 'egyrészt', you are expected to complete the structure with 'másrészt'.
Mixing different correlative sets.
Egyrészt drága, másfelől nem is jó.Egyrészt drága, másrészt nem is jó.While 'másfelől' means the same thing, it is better style to keep the pair consistent (egyrészt... másrészt OR egyfelől... másfelől).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'egyrészt... másrészt...' (on one hand... on the other hand...), learners need to understand how Hungarian builds adverbs from numerical roots and 'rész' (part) to organize logical arguments. It also requires familiarity with how Hungarian structures sentences to contrast two different ideas or perspectives.
- -dikOrdinal Numbers
The words 'egyrészt' and 'másrészt' are derived from the ordinal numbers 'első' (first) and 'második' (second), specifically using the root 'egy' and 'más'.
Level 1 - -ul/-ül (határozórag)As / in a Language
The suffix '-részt' functions similarly to an adverbial marker on the noun 'rész' (part), and understanding how nouns are turned into adverbs to describe perspectives is essential.
Level 2 - Contrastive Topics
This pattern is used to set up a contrastive framework for a sentence, which relies on the learner's understanding of how topics are organized in Hungarian word order.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- de / azonban / viszontContrast Connectors
These are contrastive connectors that can be used alongside or instead of 'másrészt' to emphasize opposition.
Level 3 - isAlso / Too
The particle 'is' (also) is frequently used in the second clause of an 'egyrészt... másrészt' construction to add a second point.
Level 2 - semNeither / Not Either
When the second point is negative, 'sem' is often used to mean 'neither' or 'not either' in conjunction with 'másrészt'.
Level 2 - akár... akár...Whether … or / Either … or
Another correlative pair used to present alternatives, though 'akár' means 'whether... or' rather than 'on one hand'.
Level 4 - nemcsak... hanem... isNot Only … but Also
A similar logical structure used to add information ('not only... but also') rather than just presenting different perspectives.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice egyrészt... másrészt... in Bubblegum
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