odstajati

Odstajati is a verb found in several South Slavic languages, notably Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Slovenian. It is formed from the verb stajati (to stand) with the prefix od-, which often signals distance, removal, or a deviation from the normal flow of events. The result is a word that conveys a sense of staying in place in a way that creates delay or waiting.

The core meanings of odstajati include: to be delayed or to fall behind schedule in relation to events, tasks, or administrative processes; to wait in a place for an extended period, i.e., to stay idle as time passes; and, in some contexts, to remain inactive because a required condition or action has not yet occurred. The exact nuance can vary by language and regional usage.

Usage and context: odstajati is commonly used to describe situations where there is an unexpected or undesired pause—such as delays at a checkpoint, during administrative procedures, or when a process takes longer than planned. It can refer to both people and processes, and it often appears with expressions indicating location or duration, though the precise phrasing can differ across languages.

Nominal form and related terms: the noun odstajanje (the act or period of waiting or delay) derives from the same root. Odstajati is closely related to stajati (to stand), with the prefix od- enriching the sense of impediment or detachment from the expected sequence of events. Cognates exist across Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Slovenian, with similar core meanings but varying emphasis on delay versus mere waiting.

See also: stajati; odlaganje; odgađanje; odstojanje.