mégsem

Hungarian

Alternative forms

mégse (folksy, informal)

Etymology

még +‎ sem

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [ˈmeːkʃɛm]
Audio: (file)
Hyphenation: még‧sem
Rhymes: -ɛm

Conjunction

mégsem

(in declarative sentences, used with indicative or conditional moods) yet, still, but, however, nevertheless, all the same, notwithstanding, after all (all followed by negation in English; introducing a negative statement in contrast with an affirmative antecedent; the opposite of mégis)
Synonyms: de, azonban, viszont, csakhogy, ugyanakkor (quasi-synonyms; as opposed to mégsem, these conjunctions need to be followed by a negative particle such as nem to express negation)

Mégsem tettek semmit. ― Yet they did nothing.
- 1991 (publication of the translation), Frederick Forsyth, András Bánfalvi (translator), The Devil’s Alternative, Chapter Thirteen:
  – Végül talán mégsem kell katasztrófára számítanunk – mondta.
  “It looks as if we may not face the catastrophe after all,” she said.
(software) cancel, undo (as an instruction; its literal meaning can be derived from mégsem ezt szeretném “and yet I do not want that”)
a Mégsem gomb ― the Cancel button

Usage notes

The word mégsem is limited to declarative sentences, just like nem (“not”) (as opposed to ne (“don’t”)). In prohibitive sentences, with the subjunctive mood, mégse can be used instead. (The latter form is also possible in informal style in declarative sentences.)

Related terms

mégis (introducing a positive statement in contrast with a negative antecedent)