Razumeti

Razumeti is a verb found in Slovenian and several other South Slavic languages that means to understand. It is used to express comprehension of a concept, instruction, language, or situation. In Slovenian, the verb is used with a direct object or with clauses introduced by da, as in “Razumem, kaj misliš” or “Razumem, da si utrujen.”

Etymology and cognates: Razumeti derives from a common Slavic root related to the noun razum, meaning mind, sense, or reason. The prefix raz- is typical in Slavic verb formation, contributing to the sense of progression or completion of a cognitive act. The word has closely related forms across the family, with variations in spelling reflecting orthographic and phonetic differences among languages.

Usage and constructions: The verb covers basic comprehension as well as recognizing or grasping a point. It can be used literally, for example with instructions or language, or figuratively, such as understanding another person’s meaning or intentions. It frequently appears in phrases expressing agreement or acknowledgment, for instance “I understand that…” in respective languages.

Variants by language:

- Slovenian: infinitive razumeti; present forms include razumem, razumeš, razume, razumemo, razumete, razumejo.

- Croatian/Bosnian: infinitive razumjeti; present forms include razumijem, razumiješ, razumije, razumijemo, razumijete, razumiju.

- Serbian: infinitive razumeti; present forms include razumem, razumeš, razume, razumemo, razumete, razumeju.

Across these languages, the core meaning remains the same, with pronunciation and spelling aligned to each standard dialect.