donje

Donje is a toponym used in several South Slavic regions to designate a location that is lower in elevation or downstream relative to another settlement. The word derives from the Slavic element don- meaning "down" or "lower" and is typically paired with Gornje, meaning "upper," to distinguish two settlements along a river, hillside, or valley.

Because Donje is a generic descriptor rather than a single place, there are multiple villages and localities named Donje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Each instance is a separate locality within its own municipality and administrative structure. The precise characteristics—such as population, governance, and geographic features—vary by location.

Etymology and usage reflect a common naming practice in the region, where directional toponyms mark relative position among settlements. Related terms include Gornje (upper) and Donji or Donje as prefixes or standalone names in various country-specific languages and dialects.