zdolne

Zdolne is a Polish adjective meaning capable, able or skilled. It is the neuter singular form and also the feminine plural form of the base adjective zdolny, which denotes capacity or competence. The full set of forms is: masculine singular zdolny, feminine singular zdolna, neuter singular zdolne, masculine personal plural zdolni, and non-masculine plural (feminine and mixed groups) zdolne. In practice, zdolne can describe people, animals or objects that have ability, talent or potential.

Usage and semantics: zdolne is used both attributively and predicatively. Examples include zdolne dziecko (a capable child), osoba zdolna do nauki (an able person for learning), or To dziecko jest zdolne (This child is capable). The word emphasizes ability, competence or potential rather than a fixed trait, and it can apply to various domains such as intellect, skills, or adaptability.

Relation to related terms: the noun form is zdolność, meaning ability or capability, and zdolny is often contrasted with more specialized terms for talent, such as utalentowany. While zdolne can be used broadly to indicate general capability, in educational or diagnostic contexts more precise terms may be preferred to describe giftedness or specific talents.

Etymology: zdolne derives from the root zdol-, related to the word zdolność (ability) and connected historically with Proto-Slavic roots expressing capability. The term is common in everyday Polish and found in formal and informal registers.

See also: zdolny, zdolność, utalentowany, talent.