dstojnost

Dostojanstvo is a noun in Serbo-Croatian languages, most commonly written as dostojanstvo in Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian, meaning dignity, worthiness, or proper standing. It refers to the intrinsic value of a person or institution and the quality of behaving with moral or social propriety. In legal, moral, and political contexts, dostojanstvo is used to express that every human being or community possesses inherent worth that should be recognized and protected. The term also appears in discussions of state conduct and international rights, where violations of dignity are cited as abuses.

Etymology and form: the word derives from the adjective dostojan, meaning “worthy,” with the suffix -anstvo forming an abstract noun. This creates a concept parallel to dignity or worthiness in many Slavic languages. Dostojanstvo is the standard form for the concept, while a variant form dostojnost may appear in some dialects or older texts.

Usage and nuance: dostojanstvo encompasses the idea of inner worth as well as external regard or social standing. It is commonly contrasted with related terms such as poštovanje (respect), ugled (prestige), and čast (honor), which describe different dimensions of how a person or group is valued, recognized, or honored by others.

See also: Dignity, Human rights, Respect, Honor.

Notes: While dostojanstvo is the prevailing term for dignity in contemporary Serbo-Croatian usage, regional spellings and historical texts may show variations.