tax
gb/tˈæks/ us/tˈæks/
A2
English
~ 600
adó, adóztat, adót vet ki, próbára tesz, megterhel
NOUN
A2
1
adó
A2
Usage pattern:
to pay [a/the] tax on [something]
The government increased the tax on cigarettes.
A kormány megemelte a cigarettára kivetett adót.
They hired an accountant to help with their tax return.
Könyvelőt fogadtak, hogy segítsen nekik az adóbevallásuk elkészítésében.
Property tax rates vary from city to city.
Income tax is collected by the federal government.
The new law will reduce taxes for small businesses.
Learner examples
I have to pay tax on my salary.
Adót kell fizetnem a fizetésem után.
The tax on food is low.
Az élelmiszerekre kivetett adó alacsony.
She paid the car tax yesterday.
He does not like paying taxes.
We must pay tax every year.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tax' (money paid) with 'fee' (payment for a specific service).
Meaning
Money paid to government
Collocations
pay taxes
|income tax
|property tax
|tax bill
|tax rate
Synonyms
levy (More formal or technical term for a financial charge imposed by authority.)
Antonyms
subsidy (A payment given by the government instead of taken from citizens.)
Themes
business
|government
|economics
|finance
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Money you must pay to the government so it can provide services for everyone.
A compulsory financial charge or levy imposed by a government on individuals or organizations to fund public services and infrastructure.
VERB
B1
2
adóztat
B2
adót vet ki
B2
Usage pattern:
to tax [something] at [rate/amount]
The government decided to tax luxury items at a higher rate.
A kormány úgy döntött, hogy magasabb adókulccsal adóztatja a luxuscikkeket.
They plan to tax sugary drinks to encourage healthier choices.
Azt tervezik, hogy adót vetnek ki a cukros italokra, hogy egészségesebb választásra ösztönözzék az embereket.
The city will tax new construction projects.
Alcohol is taxed differently in each state.
Learner examples
The city will tax new cars.
A város adót fog kivetni az új autókra.
They want to tax sugar drinks.
Meg akarják adóztatni a cukros italokat.
The shop must tax every sale.
The country will tax foreign goods.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'tax' (verb) with 'charge' in general business transactions; 'tax' is specific to government authority.
Meaning
To charge a tax
Collocations
tax goods
|tax income
|tax heavily
Synonyms
levy (Formal term for imposing a charge; often used in legal or policy contexts.)
Antonyms
exempt (To officially free someone from having to pay a tax.)
Themes
government
|business
|finance
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make people or companies pay money to the government on certain things.
To require someone to pay a government levy on income, property, goods, or services.
VERB
B2
3
próbára tesz
B1
megterhel
B1
Usage pattern:
to tax [someone's] [abilities/patience/resources]
Caring for three young children can really tax your patience.
Három kisgyerekről gondoskodni igazán próbára teheti az ember türelmét.
The exam taxed the students’ problem-solving skills.
A vizsga próbára tette a diákok problémamegoldó képességét.
This long hike will tax your endurance.
Learner examples
The test will tax your mind.
A teszt próbára teszi majd a szellemi képességeidet.
This job will tax your energy.
Ez a munka nagyon meg fog terhelni.
Her patience was taxed by the delay.
Common mistake:
Learners may interpret this literally as involving money; here it's figurative for causing effort or stress.
Meaning
To strain or burden
Collocations
tax patience
|tax strength
|tax resources
Synonyms
strain (Focuses on the pressure or difficulty caused.)
Antonyms
relieve (To make pressure or difficulty less.)
Themes
emotions
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone or something work very hard or feel a lot of stress.
To place heavy demands on someone's resources, abilities, or patience.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tax
IPA
GB/tˈæks/
US/tˈæks/
Syllables & stress
tax (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tax)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tax
- Plural: tax, taxes
Verb
- Base: tax
- 3rd Person Singular: taxes
- Present Participle: taxing
- Past: taxed
Word family
Expressions
poll tax
1/pˈoʊl tˈæks/
fixed phrase
Fixed per-person tax charge
A set amount of money each person must pay as a tax, no matter how much they earn.
Examples
- Poll taxes were once used to restrict voting rights.
- The poll tax was eventually abolished.
tax break
1/tˈæks bɹˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
Reduction in taxes owed
When you have to pay less tax than usual because of special rules.
Examples
- The government is offering a tax break for electric car buyers.
- Families with children get a small tax break.
tax evasion
1/tˈæks ɪvˈeɪʒən/
fixed phrase
Illegal non-payment of taxes
The crime of not paying taxes you should pay, usually by hiding money or information.
Examples
- He was arrested for tax evasion.
- Tax evasion can lead to large fines and prison time.
tax hike
1/tˈæks hˈaɪk/
fixed phrase
Increase in taxes charged
When the government raises the amount of money people must pay in taxes.
Examples
- The proposed tax hike is unpopular with voters.
- A sudden tax hike could slow economic growth.
tax return
1/tˈæks ɹɪtˈɚn/
fixed phrase
Form reporting income to government
A form you send to the government that shows how much money you earned and how much tax you paid or owe.
Examples
- I have to file my tax return before April 15th.
- She got a refund after submitting her tax return.