prekretnicu

Prekretnicu is a feminine noun used in Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, and Montenegrin to denote a turning point or watershed moment—the point at which a sequence of events changes direction. The base form is prekretnica; prekretnicu is the accusative singular. The term can refer to a literal turning point on a path or, more commonly, to a decisive moment that alters the course of a process, history, or life.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from a prefix meaning a change of direction and a root related to turning or movement, conveying the idea of a shift in trajectory. It is used across the regional languages with the same core meaning and belongs to a family of terms that describe pivotal moments or reversals in various contexts.

Usage: In journalism, history writing, politics, sports commentary, and everyday speech, prekretnica marks moments when events pivot. It can describe social, technological, political, or personal changes, from a policy shift to a breakthrough in a career.

Examples: Ovaj događaj predstavlja prekretnicu u istoriji grada. Promjena na ključnoj poziciji bila je prekretnica u njegovoj karijeri. The term is commonly paired with adjectives such as značajna or ključna to emphasize importance.

Notes: Prekretnica is often translated as turning point or watershed moment in English. Related terms in the same semantic field include preokret and okret, which express reversals or changes in direction. See also: preokret, okret.