Zdolnym

Zdolnym is the instrumental singular masculine and neuter form of the Polish adjective zdolny, meaning capable, able, or skilled. The base form zdolny is used for masculine nominative, while feminine and neuter forms are zdolna and zdolne respectively. Zdolnym appears in contexts requiring the instrumental case, often in phrases such as być zdolnym do czegoś, meaning “to be capable of something.”

In standard usage, the adjective declines by gender and case. For example, with a masculine subject in predicative position you typically use zdolny (on is capable), while the instrumental form zdolnym is found in constructions like jestem zdolnym do nauki (I am capable of learning) or on jest zdolnym do pracy. The dative singular masculine form is zdolnemu, and the corresponding plural forms are zdolni (masc), zdolne (fem/neut), with instrumental plural zdolnymi.

Etymology traces zdolny to the root zdol-, related to the noun zdolność (ability) and to the verb zdołać (to manage, to be able). The word conveys general capacity or potential rather than necessarily implying intrinsic talent, and it can describe people, abilities, or things capable of performing a task.

Usage notes and synonyms: zdolny is often contrasted with utalentowany (naturally talented) or wykwalifikowany (qualified). It emphasizes capability or potential rather than a fixed talent, and it is commonly used in educational, professional, and technical contexts, as well as in phrases about machines or processes being capable of certain operations. See also zdolność, zdołać, zdatny.