Osiem

Osiem is the Polish word for the number eight. It functions as a cardinal numeral and is used in counting, telling time, prices, quantities, and ages. In everyday Polish you will encounter phrases such as osiem lat (eight years old) or osiem godzin (eight hours). The related ordinal form is ósmy, meaning the eighth.

Etymology and cognates: Osiem derives from the Proto-Slavic word osmь, and it has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Russian vos'm' (восемь) and Ukrainian visim (вісім), reflecting a common historical root. The development of the form in Polish shows regular sound changes from the Proto-Slavic ancestor.

Usage notes: Polish numerals interact with the noun they modify, particularly in the case of age, time, and quantities. Common examples include osiem dni (eight days), osiem godzin (eight hours), and osiem lat (eight years). Osiem is used for masculine and neuter nouns in counting, while the corresponding feminine forms are used with feminine nouns in certain constructions. The word is typically stressed on the second syllable, and its pronunciation is approximated in English as oh-SYEM.

Relation to other numbers: Eight is the sum of two fours and serves as a base in various expressions and mathematical contexts. As with other Polish numerals, it participates in compound forms and can combine with elided or contracted phrases in rapid speech.

See also: Polish numerals, ósmy (ordinal), age expressions in Polish.