Osvjetljenja

Osvjetljenja is a noun that denotes the act or result of making something bright or clear. In Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian, it can refer to physical illumination as well as to metaphorical insight or awakening. The plural osvjetljenja can indicate several instances of illumination or multiple moments of realization.

Etymology and sense: the term comes from the verb osvijetliti, “to illuminate” or “to enlighten,” with the abstract noun suffix -enje. Its core meaning encompasses both light and understanding, depending on context. In everyday language, it is common to talk about the osvjetljenje of a room, street, or building, as well as about a person’s intellectual or spiritual illumination.

Contexts and usage: in physical terms, osvjetljenje refers to lighting and illumination, including urban, architectural, or interior lighting. In intellectual and artistic contexts, it can describe moments of insight, clarity, or renewed understanding. In religious or mystical discourse, osvjetljenje may denote awakening or illumination of the mind or soul, a sense of grasping truth or grace. The exact connotations vary by tradition and text, ranging from practical brightness to transformative inner realization.

Relation to other terms: the historical European Enlightenment is usually rendered as prosvjetiteljstvo or prosvjetiteljstvo in these languages, whereas osvjetljenje is used for broader or more general senses of light and insight. In contemporary writing, osvjetljenje remains versatile, spanning science, philosophy, religion, and everyday speech.

See also: prosvjetiteljstvo; rasvjeta; osjetljivost osvjetljenja.