Using один as "alone" or "only"
The word один is the number "one", but it is also widely used to mean "alone" or "only". Like an adjective, it agrees in gender, case, and number with the noun it describes.
| only (one, alone) | один |
When applied to a singular person or object, it emphasizes that they were the only one present or that they were left alone.
| After work, only the director stayed in the office. | После работы в офисе остался один директор. |
Using одни for exclusive groups
To describe a group made up entirely of one type of thing or person, use the plural form одни. In this context, it translates to "only" or "nothing but".
| Only club members were present at the meeting. | На собрании присутствовали одни члены клуба. |
| Instead of facts, we hear only promises. | Вместо фактов мы слышим одни обещания. |
| Only men were present at the meeting. | На собрании присутствовали одни мужчины. |
Restrictions and exclusions
This exclusive use of одни frequently appears when talking about strict rules or members-only spaces. To describe who is not allowed in, you will often use the adjective посторонний (unauthorized person, outsider), which functions as a noun.
| unauthorized / stranger (outsider) | посторонний |
| We do not let unauthorized people in after lunch. | Мы не пускаем посторонних после обеда. |
| There are only rules here, there are no exceptions. | Здесь одни правила, исключений нет. |
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