- Master indefinite adjectives like algún/alguno and ningún/ninguno with proper agreement
- Use indefinite pronouns algo, nada, alguien, nadie in positive and negative sentences
- Understand the difference between adjectives (algún libro) and pronouns (algo)
- Apply double negative rules correctly with ningún, nadie, and nada
- Recognise the special shortened forms algún and ningún before masculine singular nouns
- Express vague quantities and non-specific people/things naturally in Spanish
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AdjectivesElementary
Indefinites: Algún, Ningún, Algo, Nada
Use algo, alguien, alguno, nada, nadie, ninguno correctly
What You'll Learn
Overview
Indefinite adjectives and pronouns help you talk about non-specific things and people: "some book", "someone", "anything", "nobody". In Spanish, these words change form depending on gender and number, and they follow special rules - especially when used in negative sentences.
Adjectives (modify nouns)
Algún libro
Some book
Pronouns (replace nouns)
Quiero algo
I want something
Double Negatives
No veo nada
I don't see anything
The key to mastering indefinites is understanding which forms to use with nouns (adjectives) versus which stand alone (pronouns), and remembering that Spanish requires double negatives with ningún, nadie, and nada.
Structure & Formation
Part 1: Indefinite Adjectives (Algún/Ningún)
These adjectives modify nouns and must agree in gender and number. They mean "some" or "any" (algún) and "no" or "none" (ningún).
ALGÚN/ALGUNO (some, any)
Masculine Singular
algún libro (some book)
Before noun - shortened form
alguno de los libros
Standalone or after noun
Feminine Singular
alguna casa (some house)
No change - always "alguna"
Masculine Plural
algunos libros (some books)
Feminine Plural
algunas casas (some houses)
Key Rule: Apocopation
"Algún" loses its final -o before a masculine singular noun: algún hombre (not "alguno hombre").
NINGÚN/NINGUNO (no, none, not any)
Masculine Singular
ningún problema (no problem)
Before noun - shortened form
ninguno de ellos (none of them)
Standalone or after noun
Feminine Singular
ninguna pregunta (no question)
No change - always "ninguna"
Important
Ningún/ninguna are usually only used in singular, even when referring to plural concepts. Plural forms (ningunos/ningunas) are very rare.
Double Negative Required
In Spanish, you MUST use "no" + "ningún": No tengo ningún problema (I don't have any problem).
Part 2: Indefinite Pronouns (Algo/Nada/Alguien/Nadie)
These pronouns stand alone and replace nouns. They do NOT change for gender or number.
For Things
ALGO (something, anything)
Quiero algo
I want something
Necesito algo de dinero
I need some money
¿Hay algo interesante?
Is there anything interesting?
NADA (nothing, not anything)
No veo nada
I don't see anything
No quiero nada
I don't want anything
Nada es perfecto
Nothing is perfect
For People
ALGUIEN (someone, anybody)
Alguien llamó
Someone called
Necesito hablar con alguien
I need to talk to someone
¿Hay alguien aquí?
Is anyone here?
NADIE (nobody, no one)
No veo a nadie
I don't see anyone
Nadie sabe
Nobody knows
No hay nadie en casa
There's no one at home
Personal "A"
When "alguien" or "nadie" are direct objects, they take the personal "a": Veo a alguien (I see someone), No conozco a nadie (I don't know anyone).
Part 3: Double Negative Rules
Spanish REQUIRES double (or triple!) negatives. This is not a mistake - it's grammatically correct!
Option 1: NO + Negative Word
Place the negative word AFTER the verb:
No veo nada
I don't see anything
No conozco a nadie
I don't know anyone
No tengo ningún problema
I don't have any problem
Option 2: Negative Word + Verb (no "no")
Place the negative word BEFORE the verb:
Nada veo
I see nothing
Nadie sabe
Nobody knows
Ninguno funciona
None works
Triple Negatives Are Possible!
No le dije nada a nadie
I didn't tell anything to anyone
Examples
Shopping
¿Tienes algún libro de cocina?
Do you have any cookery books?
Sí, tengo algunos aquí
Yes, I have some here
¿Hay algo más barato?
Is there anything cheaper?
No, no hay nada más
No, there's nothing else
Meeting People
¿Conoces a alguien aquí?
Do you know anyone here?
No conozco a nadie
I don't know anyone
¿Hay alguien en la oficina?
Is anyone in the office?
No hay nadie
There's no one
Problems & Questions
¿Tienes algún problema?
Do you have any problem?
No tengo ningún problema
I don't have any problem
¿Necesitas algo?
Do you need anything?
No necesito nada, gracias
I don't need anything, thanks
Common Expressions
Algún día
Some day, one day
En alguna parte
Somewhere
De alguna manera
Somehow
De ninguna manera
No way, by no means
En ninguna parte
Nowhere
Por nada del mundo
Not for anything
Algo así
Something like that
Mejor que nada
Better than nothing
Como si nada
As if nothing happened
No es para nada
It's nothing
Common Mistakes
Don't Forget the Shortened Forms!
Before masculine singular nouns, use "algún" and "ningún":
Wrong: Alguno día voy a viajar
Wrong: No tengo ninguno problema
Correct: Algún día / No tengo ningún problema
Don't Mix English and Spanish Negatives!
Spanish REQUIRES double negatives:
Wrong: No veo algo
Correct: No veo nada(I don't see anything)
Personal "A" with Alguien/Nadie
When these are direct objects (not subjects), use the personal "a":
Veo a alguien
I see someone
No conozco a nadie
I don't know anyone
Ningún is Usually Singular!
Unlike English, use singular "ningún/ninguna" even for plural concepts:
English: "I don't have any books"
✓ Spanish: No tengo ningún libro (singular!)
✓ Spanish: No tengo ningún libro (singular!)
English: "There aren't any problems"
✓ Spanish: No hay ningún problema (singular!)
✓ Spanish: No hay ningún problema (singular!)
Algo/Nada Never Change!
These pronouns are invariable - they never agree with gender or number:
¿Quieres algo?
Do you want something? (always "algo")
No veo nada
I don't see anything (always "nada")
Position Matters with Negatives!
Negative word BEFORE verb = no "no" needed. AFTER verb = "no" required:
✓ Nadie vino (Nobody came)
✓ No vino nadie (Nobody came)
✓ No vino nadie (Nobody came)
✗ No nadie vino (WRONG!)
✗ Vino nadie (WRONG!)
✗ Vino nadie (WRONG!)
Quick Test
Test your knowledge of Spanish indefinite adjectives and pronouns:
1. Complete: Tienes _____ pregunta? (Do you have any question?)
Aalgún
Balguna
Calgunos
Dalgunas
2. Complete: No tengo _____ problema (I don't have any problem)
Aalgún
Bningún
Cninguno
Dnada
3. Which means 'I don't see anything'?
ANo veo algo
BNo veo nada
CNada no veo
DVeo nada
4. Complete: _____ vino a la fiesta (Nobody came to the party)
ANadie
BNo nadie
CNinguno
DNada
5. Complete: Conoces a _____ aquí? (Do you know anyone here?)
Aalgo
Bnada
Calguien
Dninguno
6. Complete: Tengo _____ libros interesantes (I have some interesting books)
Aalgun
Balguno
Calgunos
Dalgunas
7. Which is correct? 'I need something'
ANecesito algo
BNecesito alguno
CNecesito alguien
DNecesito algun
8. Complete: No hay _____ en casa (There's no one at home)
Anadie
Bnada
Cninguno
Dningun