Indefinite words: algo, alguien, nadie, ninguno
A2Grammar path · Lesson 43 of 86 · Stage A2 · Comparing and key words
Use these words to talk about a person or thing without naming it: algo means something, alguien someone, nadie no one and ninguno none or not any. Algo and alguien go in affirmative sentences and questions, while nadie and ninguno are negative. A negative word after the verb needs no before the verb (No veo a nadie), but at the start of the sentence it stands alone (Nadie vino). Ninguno agrees like an adjective and shortens to ningún before a masculine noun: ningún problema. A common mistake is 'no veo a alguien'; in negative sentences switch alguien to nadie.
Practise this lesson · 10 sentences
Form
verbo + algo / alguienno + verbo + nada / nadie / ningún + sustantivonadie / ninguno + verbo¿verbo + algo / alguien?When to use it
Talking about an unspecified person or thing
Use algo for things and alguien for people when you do not know or do not need to say exactly who or what.
Saying that there is no one
Nadie at the start of the sentence stands alone; after the verb it needs no before the verb. As an object it takes 'a' before it.
Saying not a single one
Ninguno agrees with the noun: ningún before a masculine noun, ninguna before a feminine one. It can also stand alone as an answer.
Positive words and their negative pair
Don't confuse it with
Frequently asked questions
Why does Spanish say no veo a nadie with two negatives?
In Spanish double negation is correct and required: when nadie comes after the verb, no must come before the verb. The two do not cancel out as in English.
When do I use ningún and when ninguno?
Use ningún right before a masculine singular noun (ningún libro) and ninguno when it stands alone (No quiero ninguno).
Do I need a before alguien and nadie?
Yes, when they are the object referring to people: Busco a alguien, No llamé a nadie. As the subject they take no a.
Can I say no veo a alguien?
Normally no; in a negative sentence use nadie instead: No veo a nadie.
Does ninguno have a plural form?
It is almost always singular, even when the idea is plural: No tengo ninguna pregunta. Ningunos appears only with a few nouns that are always plural.
How do I answer a question with algo when the answer is no?
Switch algo to nada: ¿Quieres algo? No, no quiero nada.