pravilo

Pravilo is a noun used in several Slavic languages, including Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian, Croatian, and Slovenian. It denotes a rule, guideline, or principle that governs behavior, procedures, or judgments. The term is common in grammar and linguistics, but it also appears in legal, social, and everyday contexts to describe accepted norms or standards. In linguistic use, pravilo can refer to a rule of spelling, pronunciation, morphology, or syntax.

Etymology and cognates: Pravilo derives from a root meaning straight, correct, or right (shared with words like pravo in many Slavic languages). The sense of something proper or authorized underpins its wide application to rules and norms.

Usage examples: Common phrases include pravilo ortografii (a spelling rule) or pravilo pravopisa (the rules of orthography). More generally, one may speak of pravilo povedanija (a rule of conduct) or pravilo igre (a rule of the game). Beyond language, pravilo extends to laws, regulations, and standard practices within a community or organization.

Cross-linguistic notes: While the exact form and pluralization vary by language, the core meaning remains similar: a rule or standard that people are expected to follow. In many contexts, pravilo also carries a connotation of normative or established practice rather than mere suggestion.

See also: grammar rule, orthography, legal norm, etiquette, principle.