smisla

Smisla is a grammatical form found in several South Slavic languages, most notably in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. It is the genitive singular form of the noun smisao, which means sense, meaning, or significance. Through this relationship, smisla appears in phrases that express value, purpose, or logical sense within a statement or discourse.

In typical usage, smisla appears in constructions such as nema smisla, meaning “it has no sense” or “it’s pointless,” and ima smisla, meaning “it makes sense” or “there is justification.” It can also occur in noun phrases describing meaning or significance, for example smisla života meaning “the meaning of life” or smisla događaja meaning “the sense/significance of an event.” The form thus functions as a marker of quantity or relation within a broader expression of meaning, purpose, or reason.

Etymologically, smisla derives from the root smis- related to sense or intention, with the suffix -ao forming the masculine noun smisao. The genitive singular ending -a yields smisla, aligning with standard inflection patterns in these languages.

The term sits within the broader semantic field of meaning and purpose. It is a common component of everyday speech as well as formal writing, where speakers discuss interpretation, significance, or rational justification. For learners, recognizing that smisla is the genitive singular of smisao helps in understanding its use across fixed expressions and noun phrases. See also smisao for the base noun meaning and related forms such as smislen and smisleno, which share the same root.