svetski

Svetski is an adjective used in several South Slavic languages, especially Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian, to denote worldliness, global scope, or secular character. It can express meanings such as worldly, secular, cosmopolitan, or relating to the world at large. The term commonly appears in phrases describing world affairs or a broad, international perspective, for example in references to world events, popular culture, or global standings.

Etymology and forms: svetski is derived from the noun svet meaning world, combined with the adjectival suffix -ski. In Croatian and Bosnian, the cognate form svjetski is standard, while Serbian usage often yields svetski. The two spellings typically share identical meanings, with regional orthography driving the difference.

Usage and examples: The word appears in compound expressions such as svetski rat (World War), svetski poredak (world order), svetski poznat (world-famous), and svetska scena (world stage). In literary and cultural contexts, svetski can emphasize a broad, international, or secular orientation, sometimes contrasted with terms for the spiritual or sacred.

Relation to other terms: In religious or moral discourse, svetski is frequently used as a counterpart to duhovni (spiritual), referring to secular or worldly life as opposed to sacred concerns. While regional preferences influence exact spelling, the concept broadly denotes things pertaining to the world or the world beyond a local or parochial scope.

See also: World War (contextual usage), world affairs, worldliness.