kraljevi

Kraljevi is the plural noun meaning kings in Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin. It is used to refer to multiple rulers who held the title of king, and it appears in historical narratives, chronicles, and literary texts when speaking about monarchs collectively or listing successive rulers of a realm.

Etymology: The term derives from Proto-Slavic *kralь and is cognate with related words for king across South Slavic languages. The vocabulary around monarchy in these languages includes kralj (singular king), kraljevina or kraljevstvo (kingdom), and kraljevski (royal or regal). The exact historical pathway of the word’s development reflects inherited Slavic roots with later regional refinements and borrowings that shaped its contemporary usage.

Usage: In historical writing and traditional chronicles, kraljevi appears in dynastic lists and descriptions of rulers. In modern standard language, the word is primarily encountered in historical, academic, or formal contexts. For everyday speech, kralj is more common for a single king, while kraljevi tends to be used when referring to multiple kings or to monarchs in a broad, collective sense. The term also appears in cultural and literary works to convey imperial or regal imagery.

See also: kralj; kraljevina; kraljevski.