nádej

Nádej is a Slovak noun meaning "hope": the expectation of a positive outcome or a belief that what one desires can be achieved. It describes an emotional state, a disposition toward the future, and can function as a motive that sustains people in difficult times. It is also used in religious and philosophical contexts.

Etymology: Nádej is of Slavic origin and has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Czech naděje and Russian nadezhda, reflecting a common root for the concept of hopeful anticipation.

Usage and grammar: Nádej is a feminine noun. In everyday Slovak it is used with verbs such as mať nádej (to have hope) or stratiť nádej (to lose hope). Plural form nádeje is used when speaking of multiple hopes or a collective sense of hope.

Cultural and religious significance: In Slovak culture and the Roman Catholic tradition, nádej is regarded as one of the theological virtues, together with faith and charity. In literature, art, and music, nádej appears as a motif that characters invoke to endure hardship and look toward the future.

Psychological perspective: In positive psychology, hope is described as a cognitive-motivational construct comprising agency (motivation to pursue goals) and pathways (perceived routes to achieve them). This understanding treats nádej as more than a passive feeling, but an active resource for goal pursuit and coping.