pitno

Pitno is a term used in several South Slavic languages to denote something that is fit for drinking. It is most commonly associated with water quality, and appears in everyday speech as well as regulatory language to designate potable water. The phrase pitna voda, for example, is used to mean drinking water, distinguishing it from water that is not suitable for consumption.

Etymology and meaning: Pitno derives from a Slavic root associated with drinking. Linguistically, it forms an adjective indicating suitability for drinking, with the common application in reference to water. In practice, speakers use forms of pitno or pitna to identify substances or supplies intended for human consumption.

Usage: The term is primarily applied to water, reflecting a standard distinction between potable (drinking) water and non-potable water. In regulatory and public health contexts, pitno conveys that water meets quality and safety criteria for human consumption. While pitno is most often linked to water, the underlying idea of “drinkable” can appear in related phrases in several Slavic languages, where the explicit wording may vary by language but the meaning remains similar.

See also: Potable water, drinking water.