varovati

Varovati is a verb used in several South Slavic languages, including Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, and Montenegrin. It primarily means to guard, protect, or safeguard someone or something from danger or harm. It can also denote preserving or conserving a resource, a document, or an artifact.

In addition to its active sense, varovati can appear in reflexive form as varovati se, which is used to express caution or self-protection, roughly translating to be careful or to take precautions against a threat. The verb is commonly found in both formal and everyday language, often with a direct object: varovati imovinu, varovati zdravlje, varovati podatke, and similar constructions.

The noun varovanje is derived from the verb and means protection, safeguarding, or the act of guarding. Related terms include varovnost (caution, prudence) and varovan (guarded, protected) as a passive participle used in compound forms. In general usage, varovati emphasizes preventing harm or loss and maintaining security, whether for people, property, or information.

Etymology traces varovati to a Slavic root associated with guarding or watching over. Cognate terms appear in related languages with similar meanings. The scope of the word covers physical protection, preventive measures, and the safeguarding of rights, health, or assets, reflecting a common concept of security across the language family.