odnositi

Odnositi is a verb found in Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian. It is formed from the base nositi (to carry) with the prefix od-, which often conveys away, separation, or transfer. The verb has several related senses that share a core idea of moving or applying something from one state to another.

The primary, literal meaning is to carry, bear, or remove something from one place to another, or to bring something along. This sense appears in everyday contexts involving physical movement or displacement.

In addition to its physical sense, odnositi also has metaphorical uses. In reflexive form, odnosi se (it concerns, it pertains), the verb means to relate to or to be relevant to a subject, topic, or situation. This usage is common in written and spoken language when discussing texts, laws, or issues, for example when something is said to odnosi se na određenu temu (relates to a specific topic).

Grammatical and aspectual notes: Odnositi is generally described as an imperfective verb, used to indicate an ongoing or general action rather than a completed one. The perfective aspect of related meanings is typically expressed with other verbs, such as odneti or odnijeti for “to carry away” and similar forms for other senses.

Etymology and related terms: The verb is built from the root nositi with the prefix od-, giving a sense of removal or transfer. Related nouns include odnos (relationship, relation), which shares the same semantic field, and the phrasal form se odnosi na (refers to, concerns). Odnositi is used across standard Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian with minor regional variations in form and preference.