Temelji

Temelji is a term used in Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian to denote foundations or bases. It is the plural form of temelj, a noun that refers to the structural base of a building as well as to the underlying basis of something more abstract. In architecture and civil engineering, temelji describe the lowest, load‑bearing part of a structure that transfers weight to the ground, including foundations and footings. The concept also has a broad metaphorical sense, where temelji refer to the essential elements that underpin a system, theory, organization, or argument.

In technical and academic contexts, temelj and temelji appear in discussions about construction, safety, stability, and design. Outside of architecture, the word is commonly used in discourse about foundations of knowledge, ethics, law, or society. Metaphorical usage is widespread in journalism, policy analysis, and philosophy, allowing expressions such as foundations of justice or foundations of a democratic system.

Etymologically, temelj derives from Proto-Slavic roots and is cognate with related terms in other South Slavic languages. The form temelji is standard in literary and technical Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian. While temelji can appear as part of place names or personal names in some regions, it is not associated with a single internationally prominent location or organization. See also temelj.