jedno

Jedno is a word in Polish that serves as the neuter form of the numeral jeden, and as a pronoun referring to a single item. It translates to “one” or “a single” in English and is used with neuter gender nouns or as a nonspecific reference.

Grammatical function and forms: Polish nouns and adjectives have gender, and numerals agree with the gender of the noun they modify. The forms of the numeral jeden are masculine: jeden, feminine: jedna, neuter: jedno. Therefore, one uses jedno with neuter nouns in the singular, for example jedno dziecko (one child) or mam jedno pytanie (I have one question). As a pronoun, jedno can stand for an unspecified single item or concept, as in to jest jedno z rozwiązań (that is one of the solutions).

Usage examples: Jedno dziecko, jedno pytanie, to jest jedno z możliwych rozwiązań. In each case, the neuter form zgodnie with the gender of the noun ensures proper agreement.

Etymology and related forms: Jedno derives from the Proto-Slavic root for the numeral “one” and is cognate with similar forms in other Slavic languages, such as Russian odin and Czech jedno.

Usage notes: When referring to masculine nouns, Polish uses jeden, and for feminine nouns, jedna. In many fixed expressions and compound phrases, the neuter form jedno is common due to the agreement requirements of the noun it accompanies.

Related topics include Polish numerals and cardinal numbers.