osobnym

Osobnym is the instrumental singular form of the Polish adjective osobny, meaning seaparate, distinct or individual. It is used to describe nouns in the instrumental case, often to indicate manner, method, or the idea of something being separate from others.

Grammar and forms: The base adjective osobny declines as masculine/neuter instrumental singular osobnym, feminine instrumental singular osobną, and plural instrumental osobnymi. Thus, osobnym can modify masculine or neuter nouns (e.g., osobnym planem – with a separate plan) or serve in a broader predicative or adjectival phrase. The corresponding adverb is osobno, meaning separately or individually.

Usage notes: Osobnym tends to emphasize separation or individuality in relation to the noun it modifies. It appears in constructions like osobonym planem, osobnym sposobem, or z osobnym podejściem to denote using a separate approach or method. For feminine nouns, the feminine instrumental form is osobną (e.g., osobną cechą – a separate trait). In plural contexts, the form becomes osobnymi.

Related terms and nuance: Osobny is a closely related adjective meaning separate or distinct, while odrębny also conveys separation but with a nuance of being distinctly separate or different. The choice between these words depends on the desired emphasis or formality. Osobny is generally neutral and common in everyday use, whereas odrębny can carry a stronger sense of being formally isolated or set apart.

See also: Polish adjectives of separation, instruments of grammar, comparison with odrębny and oddzielny usage.