Íslovky

Íslovky is not a widely recognized term in standard linguistic terminology. The spelling resembles the Czech and Slovak word for numerals, číslovky, which refers to words that denote numbers and quantities. If used in other contexts, íslovky may be a misrendering or a local variant of that concept. This article uses the general notion of numerals: words that express quantity or order and participate in counting, measuring, or ranking.

Numerals are a basic category of words distinct from pronouns, adjectives, and verbs. Their primary function is to name numbers and positions. They can be subdivided in many languages into several groups, with the two most common being cardinal numerals (expressing quantity, e.g., one, two, three) and ordinal numerals (expressing rank or position, e.g., first, second, third). Some languages also have multiplicative numerals (double, triple), fractional numerals (half, quarter), and distributive or collective forms.

Morphology and syntax vary by language. In some languages numerals agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case and may be declined like adjectives. In others, numerals are invariable or form compounds with the noun. Numerals can also function as determiners or quantifiers within noun phrases and, in certain constructions, can stand alone as answers to questions about quantity or order.

Etymology traces numerals to Proto-Indo-European roots and other language families, reflecting their universal role in counting and sequencing. See also numerals, counting, and ordinal vs. cardinal number concepts.