Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| jeden | [ˈjɛdɛn] (narrow) | masculine |
| jednička | [ˈjɛdɲɪt͡ʃka] (narrow) | feminine |
The word is used as the cardinal number 1. While jeden is the standard form, the related noun jednička can also mean the digit or figure 1. In colloquial speech, jednička is used figuratively to describe a person who is a top performer or a 'number one' in a specific field. Additionally, the specific term jednodolarovka refers to a one-dollar bill.
Which one should you use?
jeden is the masculine form, whereas jednička is a feminine noun meaning a digit or a top performer.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a numeral, the form changes to match the gender of the noun it modifies. The masculine jeden changes to jedna for feminine nouns and jedno for neuter nouns. When used as a direct object in the accusative case, the masculine/neuter form becomes jednoho and the feminine form becomes jednu.
When do people say it?
To emphasize the number one, you can use the word jediný as an intensifier.
Did you know?
- In the Czech school grading system, jednička is the best possible grade. While in many English-speaking systems '1' is the lowest or represents a fail, in Czechia it means 'excellent'.
- The Czech word jeden is a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'one', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root *h₁óynos.
- The term jednička is used to describe the first gear in a car. Shifting into 'one' is referred to as putting the car into jednička.
Examples in context
- Jeden z nás lže.One of us is lying.This sentence uses jeden to show how to say 'one of us'.Tatoeba #6457828 by lovermann, translation #8735701 by Ergulis
- Mám jeden z nich.I have one of those.This sentence uses jeden to show how to say 'one of those'.Tatoeba #6899886 by Ergulis, translation #5859879 by CK
- Jeden z vás lhal.One of you has not told the truth.This sentence uses jeden to show how to say 'one of you'.Tatoeba #8248750 by Ergulis, translation #4468000 by AlanF_US
- Potřebuji jedno jablko.I need one apple.
- 107 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jana and Jan are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- JanaCo si dáš, Jane?What will you have, Jan?
- JanDám si jeden kofte.I'll have one cola.
- JanaJen jeden? Nic k jídlu?Just one? Nothing to eat?
- JanNe, jeden drink mi stačí.No, one drink is enough for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries jeden, jednička, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jeden, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
