Determiner or pronoun
These four words say something about quantity and selection without naming the thing: some (alguno), no (ninguno), any (cualquiera) and each (cada). English pours some and any into one small set of words, while Spanish picks a different one depending on whether you are asking, denying or saying “it doesn't matter which”.
Four words, four forms
| Word | before masc. sg. | before fem. sg. | Plural | on its own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| alguno | algún libro | alguna idea | algunos, algunas | alguno, alguna |
| ninguno | ningún libro | ninguna idea | - | ninguno, ninguna |
| cualquier | cualquier libro | cualquier idea | - | cualquiera |
| cada | cada libro | cada idea | - | cada uno, cada una |
The columns before a noun show the form you need when speaking.
An adjective in between changes nothing: algún buen amigo.
Same meaning, different forms
¿Tienes algún bolígrafo?
Do you have a pen?
in front of the masculine noun – shortened
¿Tienes alguno?
Do you have one?
standing alone – full form
¿Tienes alguna pregunta?
Do you have any questions?
in front of the feminine noun – full form
Algunos compañeros ya se han ido.
Some colleagues have already left.
Ninguno and the double negative
English teachers spend years stamping out I don't have no problem. Spanish requires exactly that shape: if ninguno comes after the verb, a no must stand before the verb. If it comes before the verb, the no disappears. The two negatives do not cancel each other out.
With and without no
No ha venido ningún cliente.
No customer has come.
after the verb – no is compulsory
Ningún cliente ha venido.
No customer has come.
before the verb – no no
No conozco a ninguno de ellos.
I don't know any of them.
No tengo ninguna pregunta.
I have no questions.
singular, where English uses the plural
Cualquier - whichever one
Cualquier says: the choice is irrelevant. In front of a singular noun it is always the short form, masculine and feminine alike: cualquier día, cualquier cosa. English any takes a plural happily (any documents), Spanish does not: say algunos or stay in the singular, cualquier documento.
Cualquier in daily use
Llámame a cualquier hora.
Call me at any time.
Podemos quedar cualquier día de la semana.
We can meet on any day of the week.
En cualquier caso, avísame antes.
In any case, let me know beforehand.
fixed expression
Cada - each single one
Cada picks out the units of a set one by one. It never changes and stands without an article before a singular noun. Only after a number does the plural appear: cada tres días. On its own it is cada uno or cada una.
Every is the English word that misroutes. For habits and repeated events Spanish prefers todos los: I go every day is Voy todos los días more often than Voy cada día.
Three equivalents of English each, all and any
| Word | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cada | each, one at a time | Cada alumno recibe un cuaderno. |
| todos los | all, every, as a group | Todos los alumnos reciben un cuaderno. |
| cualquier | any, freely chosen | Cualquier alumno puede responder eso. |
The difference lies in the view of the set.
Cada in daily use
El autobús pasa cada veinte minutos.
The bus comes every twenty minutes.
Cada uno pagó lo suyo.
Everyone paid their own share.
Cada vez que lo veo, me cuenta lo mismo.
Every time I see him, he tells me the same thing.
