radnje

Radnje is the plural form of the noun radnja, used in several South Slavic languages such as Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian. The term encompasses two main semantic fields: action or operation and the plot or sequence of events in a narrative. As a result, radnje can refer to deeds carried out in real life as well as the progression of events in a book, play, or film.

In everyday usage, radnja denotes an action or act performed within a process or procedure. It can describe a step taken, an operation executed by a person or machine, or the practical aspects of carrying something out. In technical or procedural contexts, phrases like radnje postupka or radnje mašine describe specific actions within a workflow or mechanism.

In literary and film contexts, radnja refers to the plot or storyline—the chain of events that constitute the narrative. It involves the arrangement of scenes, conflicts, and resolutions that give the work its shape. When discussing narrative structure, modifiers such as glavna radnja (the main plot) and zaplet (the complication or twist) are commonly used.

The word is feminine (radnja) and its plural form is radnje. Etymologically, it derives from the Slavic root meaning work or labor, reflecting the sense of actions performed or steps taken. While closely related terms in the same languages may emphasize different aspects (akcija for action, zaplet for a plot twist), radnje remains a versatile, neutral term across contexts.