neznáme

Neznáme is a term in Czech and Slovak meaning "unknown" or "unidentified." It is the neuter form of the adjective neznámý, used before neuter nouns, and it can also function as a more abstract noun in some contexts.

In usage, neznáme appears in everyday speech and formal writing to indicate that something has not been identified or disclosed. Examples include neznámé číslo (unknown number), neznámé místo (unknown place) or neznámý pachatel (unknown perpetrator). The form changes with gender and number according to standard Czech and Slovak grammar, and it is commonly paired with nouns to convey lack of identification.

Etymology: the word is built from the prefix ne- meaning "not" and the adjective známý, derived from the verb znát, meaning "to know." The construction is parallel across Slavic languages, with Slovak using neznáme in similar contexts.

In encyclopedic, scientific, or administrative texts, neznáme can be used as a shorthand to refer to an unidentified item or entity, for example in notes, datasets, or field reports. Its use helps distinguish identified from unidentified elements in documentation and communication.

See also: známý (known), neznámy (unknown, Slovak). The concept of neznáme is shared across Czech and Slovak, reflecting common grammatical patterns and the broader Slavic vocabulary for describing unidentified or unnamed subjects.