Spanish indefinite pronouns help you express quantities or identities without being specific. They’re essential tools for fluid conversation and writing, allowing you to communicate effectively even when precise details aren’t known or necessary.
Common Spanish Indefinite Pronouns
Expressing “Something” and “Nothing”
- algo (something)
- “Hay algo en la caja” (There’s something in the box)
- “Necesito algo de tiempo” (I need some time)
- nada (nothing)
- “No hay nada en el refrigerador” (There’s nothing in the fridge)
- “No quiero nada de eso” (I don’t want any of that)
Referring to People
- alguien (somebody/someone)
- “Alguien llamó a la puerta” (Someone knocked at the door)
- nadie (nobody/no one)
- “No vino nadie a la fiesta” (Nobody came to the party)
Quantities
- todo/toda/todos/todas (all/everything)
- “Todo está listo” (Everything is ready)
- “Todos los estudiantes aprobaron” (All the students passed)
- varios/varias (several)
- “Varios amigos vendrán” (Several friends will come)
Universal and Negative Pronouns
- cualquiera (anyone/anybody)
- “Cualquiera puede hacerlo” (Anyone can do it)
- ninguno/ninguna (none/not any)
- “No tengo ninguna duda” (I don’t have any doubt)
Special Features
Double Negatives
Unlike English, Spanish often uses double negatives, and they’re completely correct:
- “No hay nadie aquí” (There’s nobody here)
- “No quiero nada” (I don’t want anything)
Gender and Number Agreement
Some indefinite pronouns change form based on gender and number:
- todo (masculine singular)
- toda (feminine singular)
- todos (masculine plural)
- todas (feminine plural)
Common Expressions
- “Algo es algo” (Something is better than nothing)
- “Nada que ver” (Nothing to do with it)
- “De nada” (You’re welcome – literally “of nothing”)
- “Todo el mundo” (Everybody – literally “all the world”)
Tips for Usage
- Place “algo” and “nada” before “de” when describing quantities:
- “algo de dinero” (some money)
- “nada de comida” (no food)
- Use “alguien” and “nadie” only for people:
- “¿Hay alguien en casa?” (Is anyone home?)
- “No conozco a nadie aquí” (I don’t know anyone here)
Remember, mastering Spanish indefinite pronouns will make your Spanish sound more natural and help you express yourself more precisely, even when dealing with imprecise quantities or identities.