priznanja

Priznanje, plural priznanja, is a noun used in several South Slavic languages, including Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian. It denotes an act or result of acknowledging or admitting something, and it also refers to formal recognition or honoring by an authority. The word is derived from the verb priznat (to admit, to acknowledge, to recognize) and is formed with the suffix -anje, indicating an action or result.

In legal and everyday language, priznanje most commonly means an admission or confession, such as priznanje krivice (confession of guilt) or priznanje činjenica (admission of facts). It can also refer to recognizing a truth, status, or fact, for example priznanje činjenica in judicial or administrative contexts. Beyond confession, priznanje is widely used to describe formal recognition by institutions or states, such as priznanje nezavisnosti (recognition of independence) or priznanje države (recognition of a state).

In cultural and ceremonial contexts, priznanja can denote awards, honors, or acknowledgments granted for achievements. In this sense, priznanje serves as an official recognition of merit, contribution, or service, often presented at ceremonies by governments, universities, or organizations. The term thus spans both admissions of truth and formal recognitions, with the exact meaning dictated by context.

The plural form, priznanja, is used when speaking about multiple instances of recognition or admissions. The word has cognates in related languages and often appears in legal documents, official proclamations, and news reporting. See also recognition, confession, and award.