dalje

Dalje is a common adverb in several South Slavic languages, notably Croatian and Serbian, where it conveys the sense of distance or progression: “further,” “more,” “onward,” or “away.” It is used to describe spatial distance as well as to indicate continued action or development, such as moving forward in a sequence or story.

Etymology and meaning traces Dalje to a Proto-Slavic root associated with distance or afar. The form with the adverbial suffix -je is typical in Slavic languages for producing an intransitive, directional meaning. This background helps explain its broad use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Grammatically, Dalje is an invariable adverb and does not inflect for gender or number. It commonly appears with prepositions to specify distance, such as dalje od (farther from), or in imperative and descriptive phrases like idemo dalje (let’s go further) or nastaviti dalje (to continue onward). It also functions in idiomatic expressions that signal progression, development, or continuation.

In usage, the word appears across spoken language, writing, and signage to indicate movement, distance, or advancement. While regionally most associated with Croatian and Serbian, similar adverbial forms with related meanings appear in other Slavic languages, reflecting a shared semantic field around distance and forward motion. Dalje thus serves as a compact term for extending or proceeding in both concrete and metaphorical senses.