hrane

Hrane is a plural noun used in several South Slavic languages, most commonly Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian, meaning foods or nourishments. The base form is hrana, which denotes food in a general sense. Hrane functions as a feminine noun and is typically used when referring to multiple food items or varieties, or when the phrase requires a plural form.

Etymology and related forms: Hrana derives from Proto-Slavic *hrana, tied to the concept of nourishment. In modern usage, hrana is the singular form representing food in general, while hrane serves as its plural. The word appears in everyday language as well as in journalism, cookbooks, and discussions of nutrition and cuisine.

Usage: In common speech, hrana is used for a broad sense of food, whereas hrane is employed when talking about multiple foods or types. Examples include phrases like razne vrste hrane (various kinds of food) or hrane i pića (food and drinks). The plural form is also found in culinary writing, menus, and cultural texts to emphasize assortment rather than a single item.

Cultural and semantic notes: Hrana and its plural hrane are not proper nouns; they function as ordinary common nouns. The terms are frequently encountered in contexts related to nutrition, cuisine, hospitality, and traditions surrounding meals. The distinction between hrana (singular) and hrane (plural) helps convey whether one is speaking of food in general or of multiple foods.