yksi

Yksi is the Finnish word for the cardinal number one. It is used when counting objects or indicating a single item, and it appears in phrases such as "yksi koira" (one dog) or "yksi kappale" (one piece). In Finnish, numbers combine with nouns to form noun phrases, and higher numbers are built from smaller words, for example "kaksikymmentäyksi" for twenty-one.

Pronunciation of yksi is typically given as /ˈyk.si/ in standard Finnish, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word functions as a determiner before a noun and does not stand alone as a fixed numeral by itself in most constructs; the noun is declined according to Finnish case and number, in line with general grammar rules.

Etymology and cognates: Yksi belongs to a family of Finnic numerals. It has cognates in neighboring Finnic languages, such as Estonian üks and related varieties, reflecting a common Proto-Finnic origin. The exact historical development differs between languages, but the core meaning—one—remains consistent.

Usage notes: Finnish uses one as a base numeral before a noun, and the form is not accompanied by an indefinite article as in some other languages. Numerals, including yksi, interact with the noun’s case and number in sentence structure, and they participate in the ordinary declension patterns of Finnish adjectives and determiners. When counting in larger sequences, Finnish typically concatenates numerals without spaces, as in kaksikymmentäyksi (21).

See also: Finnish language, numbers in Finnish, cardinal numbers.