smisao

Smisao is a noun used in Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian to denote sense, meaning, or purpose. It can refer to the semantic content of language (the sense of a word or sentence), to the significance of an event or action, or to the broader purpose of life. The nuance depends on context: something may have smisao as a logical meaning, or as personal significance.

In linguistic and philosophical contexts, smisao describes the sense or meaning conveyed by an expression, as distinct from its referent or truth conditions. In everyday speech it appears in questions such as “Koji je smisao ovog teksta?” (What is the meaning or sense of this text?) and in judgments like “Ovaj plan nema smisla” (This plan makes no sense) or “To ima smisla” (That makes sense).

Common expressions include “smisao života” (the meaning of life) and the adjective “smislen,” meaning meaningful or coherent. The phrase “bez smisla” means without sense or nonsensical/meaningless, depending on context.

Etymology and related terms: smisao is a native Slavic noun formed from a root connected with thought and intention. Related words include misao (thought) and smislen (meaningful). Understanding smisao thus spans both linguistic meaning and broader existential or practical significance.