Manualno

Manualno is a term used in several South Slavic languages to indicate that an action or process is performed by hand rather than automatically or by machinery. It can function as an adverb meaning manually and as an adjective describing equipment or operations that are hand-operated.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from the Latin manualis meaning “of the hand” and has entered Slavic vocabulary through historical linguistic contact. In technical writing and user interfaces, manualno is often used to label manual modes or operations, especially when a direct loanword is preferred in formal terminology. The exact usage varies by country, language variant, and field.

Usage and examples: In manufacturing, machinery, or technical documentation you may encounter phrases such as manualno podešavanje (manual adjustment) or manualno upravljanje (manual control). In everyday language, ručno remains the more common term for “by hand.” In software or devices, a control labeled Manualno may indicate a manual mode as opposed to automatic or automatic with sensors. The choice between manualno and native equivalents depends on regional conventions and the formality of the text.

Variants and regional notes: The prevalence of manualno differs by language community. In many contexts, language-specific terms for manual operation are preferred, but manualno appears as a formal or technical loanword in various manuals, specifications, and standardized documents.

See also: manual mode, manual control, manual operation, manual dexterity.