kandidati

Kandidati is a term used in several South Slavic languages to denote a person who has been proposed or has applied for a position, office, award, or competition. The plural form is kandidati, while the singular is kandidat. In many contexts, gender-specific forms exist (for example, kandidatkinje for female candidates in some languages). The word is common in Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, Slovenian, and Macedonian, among others.

Etymology traces kandidati to the Latin candidatus, meaning “clothed in white,” from candidus meaning white. The term entered various Slavic languages through historical contact with Latin and Italian.

In political contexts, kandidati are individuals put forward as candidates in elections by parties or coalitions. In employment, they are applicants who meet the requirements for a vacancy and are considered for the job. In other settings, candidates may compete for prizes, scholarships, or other distinctions. The term is neutral with respect to the outcome of a selection process.

Nomination and selection procedures for kandidati vary by country and institution. Typical steps include eligibility checks, submission of personal details and documentation, endorsements or vouches, and deadlines for listing candidates. Public discourse often centers on candidates and their platforms during campaigns, interviews, and evaluations.

See also: election, nomination, applicant, candidate, political participation.