predstava

Predstava is a noun used in several South Slavic languages, notably Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Slovenian. It has two broad senses that vary by language: in most contexts it denotes a staged performance or show presented to an audience; in Slovenian it can also mean a notion, idea, or mental image.

In Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian, predstava typically refers to a theatre, opera, or other live performance. It can also cover concerts and similar presented programs, though more specific terms may be used for particular genres. Common phrases include gledati predstavu (to attend or watch a performance), izvesti predstavu or izvedba predstave (to stage or mount a performance), and premijera predstave (the premiere of a performance).

In Slovenian, predstava is used for both a public performance and an abstract concept. As a theatrical term, it equates to a stage show, with phrases such as gledati predstavo. In its abstract sense, it means a notion or mental image, as in predstava o svetu (an image or notion of the world) or predstave o nečem (notions about something).

Etymology is Slavic in origin, with roots that broadly convey the idea of presenting or placing something before an audience; the precise development varies between languages. The word is closely related to terms for performance and presentation in the respective languages.

See also: izvedba, gledališče/theatre, predstava (in various bilingual contexts).