Kralj

Kralj is the common word for "king" in several South Slavic languages, notably Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Slovenian. It denotes a male monarch and is used as a royal title in historical contexts and in literature. In ordinary modern speech, the term is mostly found in historical references or idiomatic expressions about monarchy; today most of these countries do not have reigning kings.

Etymology and cognates: The word belongs to the South Slavic lexicon for monarchy and is cognate with related terms in other Slavic languages, such as Polish król and Czech král. The form and pronunciation vary by language, but the core meaning is king.

Usage in culture and history: In medieval kingdoms, kings were called kralj; royal seals, chronicles, and poems often use the term. The title appears in folklore, literature, and popular culture, sometimes as a component in compound titles like kraljević (prince) or kraljevski (royal). In modern times the term appears in historical discussion, education, or as a surname in some families.

See also:

- King (title)

- List of Slavic monarchs

- Slavic languages