about
gb/əbˈaʊt/ us/əbˈaʊt/
A1
English
~ 200
-ról/-ről, körülbelül, mindenfelé, ide-oda, körül, környékén
A1
1
-ról/-ről
A1
Usage pattern:
about [something]
We talked about the new movie last night.
Tegnap este az új filmről beszélgettünk.
She wrote a book about her travels in Asia.
Könyvet írt az ázsiai utazásairól.
I'm worried about the upcoming exam.
He’s curious about how the system works.
They had a long discussion about climate change.
Learner examples
I read a story about a dog.
Egy kutyáról olvastam egy történetet.
We talked about my school.
Az iskolámról beszélgettünk.
She is happy about her job.
He asked me about my family.
We learned about animals in class.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'about' with 'around' when talking about topics. 'Around' usually refers to location, not subject.
Meaning
concerning a subject
Collocations
talk about
|think about
|read about
|learn about
Synonyms
regarding (Slightly more formal and often used in written communication.)
Antonyms
unrelated to (Indicates something has no connection with the subject.)
Themes
communication
|thinking
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say what a talk, book, or thought is about.
Used to indicate the subject or topic of speech, thought, writing, or concern.
A1
2
körülbelül
A2
Usage pattern:
about [number/amount/time]
The trip will take about three hours.
Az út körülbelül három órát fog tartani.
There were about fifty people at the party.
A partin körülbelül ötvenen voltak.
It costs about twenty dollars.
She’s about thirty years old.
We arrived at about noon.
Learner examples
It is about five o’clock.
Körülbelül öt óra van.
The bag is about ten kilos.
A táska körülbelül tíz kiló.
I have about twenty books.
He is about forty years old.
We walked for about two hours.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'about' before approximate numbers, which can make statements sound too exact.
Meaning
approximately or nearly
Collocations
about five minutes
|about ten dollars
|about 3 km
Synonyms
approximately (More formal; often used in technical or official contexts.)
Antonyms
exactly (Indicates precision rather than estimation.)
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|time
Definition
Shows that a number, time, or amount is not exact.
Used to indicate an estimated amount, number, time, or degree.
A2
3
mindenfelé
A2
ide-oda
A2
People were walking about the park enjoying the sunshine.
Az emberek mindenfelé sétálgattak a parkban, élvezve a napsütést.
She looked about for her keys.
Mindenfelé kereste a kulcsait.
Children were running about the playground.
There were papers scattered about the room.
Learner examples
The children run about in the yard.
A gyerekek mindenfelé szaladgálnak az udvaron.
He looked about for his bag.
Mindenfelé kereste a táskáját.
People walk about in the market.
I saw cats moving about in the garden.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'about' meaning 'concerning', but here it describes movement or position.
Meaning
in various directions nearby
Collocations
move about
|walk about
|look about
Synonyms
around (Interchangeable in most contexts; 'around' is more common in American English.)
Antonyms
still (Indicates no movement.)
Themes
movement
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In different places in an area.
In many directions within an area; around.
A2
4
Usage pattern:
about [time/place]
She should arrive at about six o’clock.
Hat óra körül kellene megérkeznie.
I saw him somewhere about the station.
Valahol az állomás környékén láttam.
We’ll meet again at about lunchtime.
Learner examples
I will come at about seven.
Hét óra körül jövök.
He lives somewhere about the park.
Valahol a park környékén lakik.
We eat lunch at about twelve.
Meaning
around a time or place
Collocations
about the house
|about midnight
Synonyms
around ('Around' is more common in American English for this meaning.)
Themes
time
|location
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Near a time or place, but not exact.
Indicating a position or time that is not exact but near to something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
about
IPA
GB/əbˈaʊt/
US/əbˈaʊt/
Syllables & stress
about (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: about
- Plural: abouts
Word family
Forms
abouts
noun
Related words
whereabouts
noun
Expressions
about to
1/əbˈaʊt tə/
fixed phrase
on the point of doing soon
Going to do something very soon.
Examples
- I was about to call you when you walked in.
- She’s about to leave for work.
go about
1/ɡˈoʊ əbˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
begin or continue doing something
To start or keep doing a job or activity.
Examples
- He went about fixing the broken door immediately.
- How should we go about solving this problem?
how about
1/hˈaʊ əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
suggesting or asking opinion
Used to make a suggestion or ask what someone thinks.
Examples
- How about going to the beach tomorrow?
- How about we order pizza instead?
bring about
1/bɹˈɪŋ əbˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Cause something to happen
To make something happen, especially change.
Examples
- The new manager brought about many changes in the company.
- The new manager brought about many improvements.
- His speech brought about a shift in public opinion.
- His speech brought about a change in public opinion.
just about
1/d͡ʒˈʌst əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
almost or nearly
Almost; very close to being true or happening.
Examples
- I'm just about ready to leave.
- I’ve just about finished my homework.
- This project is just about finished.
- That’s just about the best meal I’ve ever had.