neznámá

Neznámé is a Czech term meaning "unknown." It functions primarily as an adjective describing something that is not known, not identified, or unfamiliar. The form neznámé is used with neuter nouns (for example neznámé číslo) and can also appear in broader phrases such as neznámé věci, neznámé místo, where it conveys the sense of things that have not yet been identified or determined.

In mathematical and scientific contexts, neznámé denotes an unknown quantity or variable. Common phrases include neznámá proměnná (unknown variable) and neznámé číslo (unknown number). The word can also be used as a substantive in Czech to refer collectively to unknowns or unidentified entities, for example in discussions of unknowns in data or investigations.

Etymology and form: neznámé is formed from the prefix ne- meaning "not" and the adjective známý meaning "known." The underlying root is related to the verb znát, "to know." In Czech grammar, neznámé is the neuter singular form of the adjective; it may also function as a neuter plural or as a noun in context to denote the concept of unknown things.

Related terms and variations include neznámý (masculine), neznámá (feminine), and neznámí/neznámé as plural forms, which align with gender and number in Czech. The concept is cross-linguistically akin to terms in other Slavic languages that express "unknown" by adding a negation prefix to the root meaning "to know."

See also: unknown variable, unknowns in data, Czech grammar of adjectives, related Slavic terms for unknown.