Ironija

Ironija is a rhetorical figure in which the intended meaning of a statement is opposite to its literal meaning. It is used to express critique, humor, or a nuanced attitude, and appears across speech, literature, theater, film, and journalism. Ironija encompasses verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony, each relying on context to reveal the gap between surface sense and underlying meaning.

The term is derived from Greek eirōneía and entered many languages via Latin and later European languages. In Slavic languages such as Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Slovenian, ironija denotes the same phenomenon and is treated as a standard rhetorical device in literary and everyday language.

Forms and examples: Verbal irony occurs when speakers say the opposite of what they mean, often for humorous or critical effect, as in saying “What a beautiful day” during a downpour. Dramatic irony happens when the audience knows crucial information that a character does not. Situational irony involves a discrepancy between expected outcomes and actual results, such as a fire station burning down. Ironija can be gentle or acute, and it is not identical to sarcasm, which tends to be more hostile.

Usage and significance: Ironija is widely used in literature to critique social norms, in satire and political commentary, and in everyday conversation to convey attitudes without direct accusation. An awareness of context and tone is essential to interpret ironic statements accurately.

See also: irony, sarcasm, satire, paradox.