THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS

Abstrak

This article examines the theoretical foundations of phraseological units, focusing on their linguistic nature, structural organization, and semantic properties. Phraseological units are defined as stable and reproducible combinations of words whose meanings are partially or fully transferred and cannot always be deduced from the meanings of their individual components. As an essential part of the lexical system, they reflect both the richness of a language and the cultural experience of its speakers. The study explores key features of phraseological units, including idiomaticity, stability, reproducibility, and lexical integrity, which distinguish them from free word combinations. Special attention is given to the classification of phraseological units according to semantic cohesion, degree of idiomaticity, and structural patterns. The article also reviews major linguistic approaches to phraseology, including traditional, structural, and cognitive perspectives, emphasizing their contribution to understanding phraseological meaning. Furthermore, the research highlights the cultural and cognitive significance of phraseological units, demonstrating how they encode national identity, worldview, and collective experience. The practical importance of studying phraseological units in language teaching, translation, and intercultural communication is also emphasized, as their proper understanding is essential for achieving communicative competence and avoiding misunderstandings