jednou

Jednou is a Czech adverb meaning one time or once. It denotes a single occurrence, as opposed to repeated or habitual action, and can refer to events in the past, present, or future depending on the surrounding tense. In combination with time expressions, it also forms common phrases that express frequency, such as once per some period (for example, jednou za týden = once a week) or once in a lifetime (jednou za život).

The word is derived from the numeral jedno, meaning one, and functions as an invariable adverb. It does not change for gender, number, or case, and it can appear in both formal and informal contexts. In Czech, jednou is often paired with other words or particles to specify timing or emphasis, and it can contribute to idiomatic expressions like jednou provždy (once and for all) or jednou za život (once in a lifetime).

Usage notes and examples:

- Jednou jsem viděl ten film. (I saw that movie once.)

- Jednou za měsíc chodí do posilovny. (He goes to the gym once a month.)

- Jednou to vyjde. (It will work out at some point.)

- Jednou provždy ukončit to, co začalo. (To end it once and for all.)

- Jednou za život člověk potká zvláštní okamžik. (Once in a lifetime, a person meets a special moment.)

See also: translations of once in English, related phrases such as jednou za, jednou provždy, and general Czech adverbial usage.