Dôleitosti

Dôleitosti is a Slovak noun derived from the adjective dôležitý, meaning “important” or “significant”. The plural form dôleitosti (or dôležitosti in standard orthography) refers collectively to matters, ideas, or circumstances that hold importance or are considered valuable within a particular context.

The root dôlež- originates from the Proto-Slavic *dolěžь, related to the word for “deep” or “precious”. In Slovak, the suffix -itý turns it into an adjective, while the suffix -osti marks a collective noun of qualities. The word is common in everyday speech, literary texts, and academic writing, where it often appears in phrases such as “dôleitosti rozhodnutia” (importance of the decision) or “dôleitosti zdravia” (importance of health).

In the Slovak language, dôleitosti can emphasise ethical, social, or professional considerations. The term is frequently used in discussions of civic duties, educational goals, and cultural values, underlining what is deemed essential for personal or communal well-being. In news media, it often appears in headlines highlighting crucial issues such as “dôleitosti bezpečnosti” (importance of safety) or “dôleitosti ochrany životného prostredia” (importance of environmental protection).

The concept also appears in comparative linguistics, where Slovak speakers note the close relation between dôleitosti and the Czech dôležitosti, both reflecting the shared Slavic heritage. The term’s widespread usage demonstrates its integral role in expressing what a society considers vital and worthy of attention.