Polish · People & Family
"Only child" in Polish: jedynak / jedynaczka
jedynak / jedynaczka
Only child in Polish is jedynak / jedynaczka. Jedynak is masculine personal; useful forms are jedynaka (genitive), jedynaka (direct object) and jedynakiem (instrumental). Jedynak is a male only child; jedynaczka is female and refers to siblings, not to being a child in age.
Identifying or describing only child
Jedynak jest już dorosły.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce jedynak / jedynaczka
Say it
ihedihnak
/jɛdɨnak/
In jedynak, y is distinct from the vowel i. The content words in jedynak normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.
"Only child" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| jedynak | only child Dictionary form for masculine personal jedynak. | Dictionary form for masculine personal jedynak. |
| jedynaka | of only child Genitive form, used for example after nie ma. | Genitive form, used for example after nie ma. |
| jedynakiem | with only child Instrumental form after z meaning with. | Instrumental form after z meaning with. |
How to use jedynak / jedynaczka in real life
- 1Identifying or describing only child
Jedynak jest już dorosły.
The only child is already an adult.
This sentence uses jedynak to describe only child in context.
- 2Using only child in daily life
Znam jedynaka z naszej klasy.
I know an only child from our class.
Notice the form used for jedynak in this practical sentence.
- 3Another use of only child
Jestem jedynakiem.
I am an only child.
The construction shows how jedynak fits a different situation.
Mistakes English speakers make with jedynak / jedynaczka
Incorrect: Nie ma jedynak.
Correct: Nie ma jedynaka.
After nie ma, jedynak takes the genitive form jedynaka.
Incorrect: z jedynak
Correct: z jedynakiem
When z means with, use the instrumental: z jedynakiem. Z can also mean from.
Good to know
Jedynak is a male only child; jedynaczka is female and refers to siblings, not to being a child in age.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Describe only child in two different contexts
Partner
Ułóż zdanie z tym słowem.
Make a sentence with this word.
You
Jedynak jest już dorosły.
The only child is already an adult.
Partner
A teraz podaj inny przykład.
Now give a different example.
You
Znam jedynaka z naszej klasy.
I know an only child from our class.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Only child" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Only child" in Polish
What grammatical form is jedynak?
Jedynak is masculine personal. No article is required with jedynak; surrounding words carry its gender and number agreement.
How does jedynak change as a direct object?
The accusative form is jedynaka. For comparison, the genitive is jedynaka; negation can change the case required by a verb.
How do I use jedynak after “with”?
Use z jedynakiem. Here z introduces the instrumental form of jedynak, rather than its dictionary form.
What should I know about using jedynak?
Jedynak is a male only child; jedynaczka is female and refers to siblings, not to being a child in age.
Use these words in a conversation
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