vojna

Vojna is a term that means war in several South Slavic languages, including Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, Slovene, and Macedonian. In Bulgarian, a closely related form is also used for the same concept. In these languages, the word is typically written in the local script as vojna (in Latin-script languages) or война in Cyrillic. It is employed in historical, military, and political contexts to denote armed conflict between states, groups, or factions.

Etymology and cognates: Vojna derives from Proto-Slavic roots connected with fighting and warfare. It is related to words for soldier (for example, vojnik in some languages) and to verbs meaning to wage or engage in war (such as vojevati). The term has cognates across Slavic languages, with variations in spelling and pronunciation that reflect each language’s phonology and grammar.

Grammar and usage: In these languages, vojna is a feminine singular noun and follows standard Slavic declension patterns. It appears in phrases describing the onset, duration, or aftermath of conflict, as well as in discussions of military history, diplomacy, or international relations.

Geography and onomastics: Vojna can also appear as a place name or as part of compound toponyms in Slavic-speaking regions. Such use often preserves historical associations with fortifications, battles, or military administration, though the modern meaning remains the general term for war.

See also: War, Voina, Vojnik, Slavic etymology of warfare terms.