по еден
One Each
По + a number = each: Секое дете доби по едно јаболко. (Each child got an apple.) Платија по сто денари. (They paid a hundred denars each.)
How It Works
The pattern. По + number + noun, placed where the amount goes in the sentence:
- Секое дете доби по едно јаболко. (Each child got an apple.)
- Платија по сто денари. (They paid a hundred denars each.)
- Земете по еден лист хартија. (Take one sheet of paper each.)
Agreement. Еден changes to match the noun: по еден лист, по една книга, по едно јаболко. See еден, една and едно. Masculine nouns for things take the count form after a number, also after по: по два дена, по осум часа. See count forms.
Without по the meaning changes. Платија сто денари means they paid a hundred denars in total. Платија по сто денари means each of them paid a hundred.
Prices and time. По also gives a rate: Доматите се по шеесет денари килото. (Tomatoes are sixty denars a kilo.) Работиме по осум часа на ден. (We work eight hours a day.)
People and order. With the number words for people, по means "in groups of": Ќе влегувате по двајца. (You will go in two at a time.) See двајца and тројца. Еден по еден means "one by one".
Examples (6)
- Секое дете доби по едно јаболко.
Each child got an apple.
Word by Word: Every child got each one apple.
- Платија по сто денари.
They paid a hundred denars each.
Word by Word: They-paid each hundred denars.
- Земете по еден лист хартија.
Take one sheet of paper each.
Word by Word: Take each one sheet paper.
- Работиме по осум часа на ден.
We work eight hours a day.
Word by Word: We-work each eight hours on day.
Часа is the count form of час, used after numbers.
- Ќе влегувате по двајца.
You will go in two at a time.
Word by Word: Will you-enter each two(people).
- Доаѓаа еден по еден.
They came one by one.
Word by Word: They-were-coming one by one.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting that еден must agree with the noun.
Секое дете доби по еден јаболко.Секое дете доби по едно јаболко.Јаболко is neuter, so the number is едно: по едно јаболко.
Leaving out по when you mean "each".
Платија сто денари. (meaning: each of them paid a hundred)Платија по сто денари.Without по, the sentence means they paid a hundred denars all together. По makes it a hundred for each person.
How It Connects
Learn This First
One each combines по and еден.
Related Patterns
- два дена / три часаCount Forms After Numbers
Masculine nouns take the count form after по + number: по два дена.
Level 2 - двајца / тројца / петминаCounting Men and Mixed Groups
With по, these people numbers mean "in groups of": по двајца.
Level 3 - секој / сите / сѐEach All and Everything
Секој often goes with по: Секое дете доби по едно јаболко.
Level 2 - колку чиниAsking Prices
Prices per kilo or per item often use по: по шеесет денари килото.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice по еден in Bubblegum
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