In today’s post, we’ll be focusing on один [one] and its declensions. This won’t be the most interesting post. Just a grammar-heavy one.
| In addition to meaning one, один also carries additional meanings, such as: a [indefinite article] in certain contexts, only and even alone. |
| Declension of один |
| – | m. | f. | n. | pl. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | один | одна | одно | одни |
| gen. | одного | одной | одного | одних |
| dat. | одному | одной | одному | одним |
| acc. | один одного | одну – | одно одного | одни одних |
| inst. | одним | одной | одним | одними |
| prep. | одном | одной | одном | одних |
Perhaps you think this table is complicated? Let’s look at some hints to help you out.
| You already know the forms for the nominative. We learned them in lesson 11 and in the cardinal numbers post. And the rest are more or less like adjectives in terms of their endings. |
| Look at the feminine declensions. Almost all of them coincide. |
My advice: learn them as they come. Don’t overstress with these declensions.
I mentioned above that один, in addition to one, has other meanings. let’s look at them in greater detail:
| to stress only one, similar to how we stress the indefinite article [a] |
| У меня один младший брат. I have one [a] younger brother. |
| a certain |
| Я знаю одного скромного парня. I know a certain modest male. |
| alone or by oneself |
| Я сижу дома один. I’m staying home alone. |
| Не оставь дочку одной. Don’t leave your daughter by herself. |
| Вам нравится быть одними? Do you like being alone? |
| same [opposite of different] |
| Мы с родителями живём в одном городе. My parents and I live in the same city. |
| Серёжа и Лёша одного роста. Seryozha and Lyosha are the same height. |
| Мы одного мнения. We’re of the same opinion. |
| only or nothing but |
| С ним у нас бывают одни проблемы. We get nothing but problems with him. |
I guess that’s all for today’s lesson.
My Slavic Studies 