VODA

Voda is the common word for water in many Slavic languages. It is also used as a surname in several Slavic-speaking communities.

In East and South Slavic languages the term appears as voda: Russian вода (voda), Ukrainian вода (voda), Polish woda, Czech voda, Slovak voda, Slovenian voda, Serbo-Croatian voda, Bulgarian вода (voda), and Macedonian вода (voda).

Etymology: The word derives from Proto-Slavic *voda, from the Proto-Indo-European root *wódr̥. The Slavic form preserves the initial v sound; it is cognate with the English word water through the same root.

Usage and significance: In linguistics, voda denotes the liquid water; in everyday language it refers to potable water and the natural resource. Water is essential for life, and its availability and management are central to science, health, and policy.