Odgovara

Odgovara is a common present-tense form of the Slavic verb odgovorati/odgovarati used in Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian. It denotes two main senses: to answer or respond to something, and to be suitable or to correspond to something. In the sense of answering, it is used with the preposition na: "odgovara na pitanje" (he answers the question). In the sense of fitting or meeting requirements, it is used with the dative plural or singular: "odgovara zahtjevima" (it meets the requirements), "odgovaraju veličini" (they fit the size).

Grammatical note: "odgovara" is the 3rd person singular present indicative form of the imperfective verb "odgovarati." The related perfective form is often "odgovoriti," meaning "to answer" or "to respond" in a completed action. The noun "odgovor" means "answer" or "reply," from which the verb derives. The term is used across standard Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian varieties, with similar forms appearing in other South Slavic languages.

Usage considerations: In formal writing, choose the sense by selecting the correct preposition and case: "odgovara na" for responding; "odgovara zahtjevima" for meeting requirements. The word is versatile and common in journalism, everyday speech, and administrative language.