In Croatian, the number one (jedan) has plural forms. While it might sound strange to have a plural word for "one," these forms are essential for two reasons: indicating "some" or "certain" items, and counting objects that are grammatically plural even when they represent a single item (like a pair of pants or a single door).
| Gender (Plural) | Form |
|---|
| Masculine | jedni |
| Feminine | jedne |
| Neuter | jedna |
Meaning "Some" or "Certain" (jedni)
When used with regular plural nouns, the plural forms of jedan translate to "some" or "certain". For masculine plural nouns like ljudi (people) and stranci (strangers), use the masculine plural form jedni.
Counting Feminine Plural Pairs and Objects (jedne)
Many common nouns in Croatian are "pluralia tantum"—words that only have a plural form, even when referring to one physical object. Common feminine examples include traperice (jeans), ljestve (ladder), and gaće (underpants).
To say "one pair of jeans" or "one ladder," use the feminine plural form jedne.
You also use jedne when referring to a single pair of objects that normally come in twos, like shoes (cipele).
Counting Neuter Plural Objects (jedna)
There are also neuter plural-only nouns. Common examples include vrata (door), kliješta (pliers), and leđa (back). To talk about a single door, one pair of pliers, or one back, you must use the neuter plural form jedna.