usmjeriti

Usmjeriti is a Croatian verb that means "to direct", "to guide", or "to orient". The term is derived from the root "usmjere", reflecting a process of steering or aligning toward a specific goal or direction. In everyday usage, usmjeriti can refer to both literal and figurative directing, such as directing a vehicle, guiding an activity, or aligning an idea.

The verb is conjugated in the active voice and appears in many contexts across formal and informal language. For example, “Policijski patričci usmjeravaju promet” (Police officers direct traffic) illustrates a literal application, while “Usmjeriti pažnju učenika prema važnim konceptima” (To direct students’ attention toward important concepts) shows a metaphorical use. The infinitive is used for intent or instruction, and past tense forms express completed guidance: “Uspješno je usmjerila projekt” (She successfully directed the project).

Usmjeriti is often paired with modifiers such as “glatko” (smoothly) or “brzo” (quickly) to convey manner. Synonyms in Croatian include “okrenuti”, “provjeriti”, and “planirati”, though these carry slightly different nuances. In broader linguistic studies, the verb demonstrates aspects of control and intentionality typical in Slavic languages’ synthetic verbal morphology. The concept of usmjeriti also appears in legal and administrative contexts where directives must be clearly articulated.