poduzeti

Poduzeti is a verb found in several South Slavic languages, notably Slovene, Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian. Its basic meaning is “to undertake, to start, or to set in motion.” In Slovene it is conjugated as podužejo (they undertake), while in Croatian it appears as poduzima, with the infinitive poduzeti. The word derives from the prefix “po‑” meaning “to start” combined with the root “du‑” from the Proto-Slavic *dъziti, which relates to action or doing. This etymological connection shows the verb’s long-standing association with initiating activity.

Poduzeti is frequently used to describe formal or significant actions, such as launching a project, starting an investigation, or beginning a construction. For example, a municipal council might poduzeti steps to renovate a public park, or a company might poduzeti measures to improve quality control. The verb often carries a connotation of planning and execution, implying that the subject has conveyed intention into tangible activity.

In contemporary usage, poduzeti is also applied metaphorically to personal endeavors: to poduzeti a new habit, to poduzeti a creative venture, or to poduzeti a journey of self‑improvement. It is a versatile verb that functions similarly to English “undertake.” Because of its motivational nuance, the term is popular in motivational literature and public discourse. The word also appears in idiomatic expressions, such as “ni hvalov ne poduzeti” (not many praises to undertake), underscoring its role in everyday language in the Balkan region.