Indefinite adjectives and indefinite pronouns are an essential part of the Italian language. They are used to express a quantity or quality indefinitely. In this post, we will discuss how to use indefinite adjectives and indefinite pronouns in Italian.
Niente lo arricchisce più di Sangemini ( Nothing enriches him more than Sangemini.)
Difficile trovare qualcosa di più completo (It is difficult to find something more complete)
Se qualcuno ti cerca sarai il primo a saperlo. (If someone is looking for you, you will be the first to know.
Scegli il camper, ogni viaggio diventa realtà. ( Choose the camper, every trip becomes reality.)
Tra un Pinot grigio qualunque e il Pinot Santa Margherita c’è un abisso. (There is an abyss between any Pinot Grigio and Pinot Santa Margherita.)
You need these words to:
- indicate an element of uncertainty
- describe the quantity of a noun
- describe the quality of a noun
Some are just adjectives or pronouns others are both.
➡️ Why do you need Indefinite adjectives or pronouns?
La mia penna – (my pen) -> in this phrase we use the possessive adjective to explain which pen we art talking about.
Qualsiasi/Qualunque penna – (some pen) -> in this phrase we use “qualsiasi/qualunque” – indefinite adjectives – because we are not referring to a specific pen.
➡️ Here is a list of the most common Indefinite adjectives and pronouns with audio
These can be both adjectives and pronouns.
They need to agree with the noun so they can be:
ALCUNO
not any – some – a few
In the singular use it in negative sentences: non c’è alcun problema
In the plural, it indicates an indefinite number of people or things (but not in large number): ho invitato alcuni amici.
It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
It has masculine-feminine-singular plural: alcuno/alcuna/alcuni/alcune and always comes before a noun.
The adjective (in the singular) alcuno – alcuna means nessuno – nessuna and you can use it in negative phrases.
Alcuno agrees with the name such as indefinite articles uno un una un’ with the same rules.
Non c’è alcuna fretta (There is no rush)
Non c’è alcun pericolo (There is no danger)
The adjective alcuni – alcune means qualche (person – thing)
Alcune volte vado a dormire presto (Sometimes I go to sleep early)
In inverno alcuni animali vanno in letargo (In winter some animals hibernate)
As pronoun
It is used mainly in the plural form:
Alcuni imparano le lingue facilmente (Some learn languages easily)
Alcune sono più interessanti di altre (Some are more interesting than others)
ALQUANTO
a certain amount of – some – quite a few
It indicates a quantity closer to “molto” than “poco”: ho avuto alquanta paura.
Usually, it’s not used in colloquial language: you can use parecchio instead: ho avuto parecchia paura.
It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
It has masculine-feminine-singular-plural: alquanto/alquanta/alquanti/alquante
With the meaning of a certain amount of, some
Ho bevuto alquanto (in this phrase can mean: enough, or a little too much)
As pronoun
It can be used to refer to a noun expressed before especially in the plural
with the meaning of “un discreto numero” (a fair number – quite a few)
Di spettatori ce n’erano alquanti (there were quite a few spectators)
Ne ho visti alquante (I’ve seen quite a few)
ALTRETTANTO
as many – as much – likewise
The meaning is:
- la stessa quantità di qualcosa (same number of something): as much
- nello stesso modo (same way): as
it can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
It has masculine-feminine-singular-plural: altrettanto / altrettanta / altrettante / altrettanti.
Oggi ho camminato per un’ora, domani camminerò altrettanto (Today I walked for an hour, tomorrow I will walk as much)
La pizza di oggi non era altrettanto buona (today’s pizza was not as good)
As pronoun
It also has masculine-feminine-singular-plural: altrettanto / altrettanta / altrettante / altrettanti.
Ho passato sei anni in Francia e altrettanti in Germania
Buon appetito! Grazie, altrettanto (Enjoy your meal! Thanks likewise)
ALTRO
other- another
It has different meanings:
- ulteriore (another/more)
- differente persona/cosa (other)
It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
It has masculine singular-plural: ALTRO ALTRI and feminine singular and plural ALTRA/ALTRE
Questa è un’altra cosa (that’s another thing)
Prendi altre caramelle (get more candy)
Devo comprare altro pane (I have to buy more bread)
Devi fare altri esercizi (you must other exercises)
As pronoun
It has masculine singular ALTRO – masculine and feminine plural ALTRI / ALTRE:
Le posso servire altro? (Do you need anything else?)
Andiamo da una parte all’altra della città (We go from one part of the city to the other)
Altri capiranno quello che sto dicendo. (Others will understand what I am saying.)
Da un giorno all’altro (one of these days)
CIASCUNO
Every – Each- Each one
Its meaning is like ogni persona/ognuno: ciascuno studente ha studiato.
it can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
It has masculine-feminine: ciascuno/ciascun/ciascuna and means “ogni persona” each – every person) but only singular.
We use this form like “ciascun” with masculine nouns beginning with a consonant (same rule of indefinite article “un”) or a vowel and “ciascuno” with nouns beginning with a vowel and s+consonant.
Ciascun alunno deve avere i suoi libri. (Every pupil must have his own notebooks)
Ciascuno studente deve avere i suoi libri. (Every student must have his own notebooks)
Ciascuna maestra ha la propria classe (Each teacher has her own class)
As pronoun
It has masculine-feminine: ciascuno/ciascuna and means “ognuno” everyone/everybody.
Ciascuno di voi deve studiare (Everyone must study)
Anyone – Anybody- Whoever
It means “qualunque persona”, any person – anyone – anybody
As pronoun
it is invariable, you can use it only in the singular.
Chiunque può venire alla mia festa (Anyone can come to my party)
Chiunque può collegare il computer a Internet (Anyone can connect the computer to the Internet)
Questa porta non è sicura. Può entrare chiunque. (This door is not secure. Anyone can enter.)
MOLTO
A lot of – Much – Many
Indicate a large quantity, opposite of “poco”:” “molta gente” – In the plural it indicates an indefinite number of people or things (but not in large numbers):
ho invitato alcuni amici
It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
It means a large quantity- a lot
It has masculine-feminine-singular-plural: “molto/molte/molti/molte“
Mario ha incontrato molte ragazze al parco
Molti non sono venuti alla festa
As pronoun
It has the same meaning as the adjective but it can be used to refer to a noun expressed before.
No – Not any – No-one – Nobody
Has the masculine and feminine form but not a plural:
nessun amico è venuto alla cena
The meaning is “no one”
It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
It has a singular masculine-feminine.
Nessuno agrees with the name such as indefinite articles uno un una un’ with the same rules.
nessun cane (no dog)
nessun uomo (no man)
nessuno studente (no student)
nessuna donna (no woman)
As pronoun
It means: Nessuna persona, neanche una persona (No person, not even one person)
nessuno lo ha visto (no one saw him)
If used after a verb it always requires the negation NON:
non lo ha visto nessuno (no one saw him)
Nothing – Anything – No-one – Nobody
It means “nessuna cosa”, nothing: Oggi non ho fatto niente.
NIENTE has the same meaning as NULLA but NIENTE is more popular THAN NULLA
As adjective
It is invariable and it is used in only some expressions.
niente paura! (no fear!)
As pronoun
It is invariable, it never changes in number and gender.
You can use it without the negative non when it is before the verb:
niente è cambiato (nothing has changed)
You can use it with the negative non when it is after the verb:
non è cambiato niente (non è cambiato niente)
NULLA
It coincides almost exactly in meaning and in most grammatical uses with NIENTE
nulla è cambiato (nothing has changed)
non è cambiato nulla (non è cambiato niente)
OGNI
Every – Each – All
As adjective
It means every or each people or thing: ogni cosa al suo posto, it is invariable, it never changes in number and gender and always precedes the noun and is usually used only in the singular.
ogni problema ha la sua soluzione (every problem has its solution)
ogni 20 km c’è una stazione (every 20 km there is a station)
OGNUNO
Everybody – Everyone – Each one
The same meaning of “ogni – ogni persona/ogni cosa”:
ognuno ha ricevuto lo stipendio.
As pronoun
It has a masculine and a feminine but it’s only singular: ognuno/ognuna
Ognuno di noi era sicuro di conoscere la risposta giusta. (Each of us was sure we knew the right answer)
Carlo parlerà con ognuna di noi (Carlo will talk to each of us)
PARECCHIO
Quite a lot – Several – Quite some
Parecchio is commonly used as synonymous with “molto”:
oggi fa parecchio freddo
but indicates more than abbastanza but less than molto.
As adjective
It has masculine-feminine-singular-plural: parecchio/parecchia/parecchi/parecchie
ho parecchie cose da fare (I have a lot of things to do)
c’è parecchia gente al parco (there are a lot of people in the park)
ci vuole parecchio tempo per andare al mare (it takes a long time to go to the beach)
As pronoun
it has the same meaning as the adjective but it can be used to refer to a noun expressed before.
c’è del pane? si, ce n’è parecchio (is there any bread? yes, there is a lot of it)
quanto tempo hai aspettato? Parecchio! (how long did you wait? Quite a long time)
eravamo in parecchi (there were several of us)
POCO
Little – Few
“poco” indicates a small amount of something: ho pochi soldi.– it can be an adjective or a pronoun. It’s the opposite of molto.
As adjective
It has a masculine-feminine-singular-plural: poco/poca/pochi/poche
Durante i pasti bevo poco vino. (During meals I drink little wine.)
In questa stanza c’è poca luce. (There is little light in this room.)
Questa sera ci sono poche persone nel cinema. (There are few people in the cinema tonight.)
Ci vediamo tra pochi minuti (See you in a few minutes)
As pronoun
it has the same meaning as the adjective but it can be used to refer to a noun expressed before.
C’è chi ha molto tempo e chi ne ha poco (there are those who have a lot of time and those who have little)
Pochi la pensano come lui (few people think as he does)
QUALCHE
A few – Some – Any
– It means “alcuni”, a certain number of people or things: ho qualche amico in questa città – hai qualche domanda da fare?
It never functions as a pronoun (in which it is replaced by someone), and is always placed before the noun.
As adjective
it is invariable, it never changes in number and gender
ho comprato qualche libro (I’ve bought some o a few books)
l’ho incontrato qualche volta (I’ve met him a few times o once or twice)
QUALCOSA
Something – Anything
It’s the contracted form of “qualche cosa” and indicates one or more things: devo comprare qualcosa?
As pronoun
it is invariable, it never changes in number and gender.
posso fare qualcosa per te? (can I do anything for you?)
fammi sapere se hai bisogno di qualcosa (let me know if you need anything)
Somebody – Someone – Anybody – Anyone
Indicates an indefinite amount of things or people but in a small amount:
ho invitato qualcuno a cena.
Sometimes refers to one person:
Qualcuno ti ha inviato un pacco
As pronoun
it has masculine and feminine but it doesn’t change in number: qualcuno/qualcuna
ha telefonato qualcuno per te (somebody phoned for you)
qualcuno ha visto il mio ombrello? (has anyone seen my umbrella?)
se ti piacciono, prendine qualcuna in più (if you like them, take some o a few more)
Any – Either – Whatever
The same meaning of qualunque, it means “whatever”:
puoi venire a casa mia a qualsiasi ora.
As adjective
It is invariable, it never changes in number and gender.
mettiti un vestito qualsiasi (wear anything you like)
per lui farei qualsiasi cosa (I’d do anything for him)
QUALUNQUE
Whatever – Any – Anything
The same meaning of qualsiasi, it means “whatever”: puoi venire a casa mia a qualunque ora.– It could be used with an article: una qualunque cosa va bene, or can follow a name: una persona qualunque.
As adjective
It is invariable, it never changes in number and gender.
in qualunque momento (at any time o moment)
per lui farei qualunque cosa (I’d do anything for him)
TANTO
A lot of – Many – Much
The meaning is “a large amount” or “numerous”: ci sono tante automobili in autostrada.– It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
it has a masculine-feminine-singular plural: tanto/tanta/tanti/tante.
c’è ancora tanta strada da fare! (there’s still a long way to go!)
c’erano tante persone al mare (there were so many people at the sea)
As pronoun
It has the same meanings as the adjective and implies a noun already expressed before.
è una ragazza come tante (she’s like any other girl)
ho visitato molti posti ma ce ne sono ancora tanti da vedere (I have visited many places but there are still many to see)
TROPPO
Too much – Too many
Indicates a surplus in amount or number: oggi fa troppo caldo.– It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
it has a masculine-feminine-singular-plural: troppo/troppa/troppi/troppe
non mettere troppo sale (do not put too much salt)
c’era troppa gente (there were too many people)
As pronoun
It has the same meanings as the adjective and implies a noun already expressed before.
non ne prendo più, ne ho fin troppi (I won’t take any more, I’ve got far too many)
eravamo in troppi (there were too many of us)
TUTTO
All – Everything – Everyone
Indicates all the things or the people:
ho letto tutto il libro.
It can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
it has a masculine-feminine-singular-plural: tutto/tutta/tutti/tutte
When it is an adjective it is followed by the definite article
tutti i prodotti del supermercato sono scontati (all supermarket products are discounted)
sono rimasto sveglio tutta la notte (I stayed up all night awake all night long)
As pronoun
It means ogni cosa – everything
tutto è in ordine (everything’s in order)
Hai preso tutto? Allora partiamo. (Have you got everything? OK, let’s go.)
UNO
One – Someone – Somebody
You need it to indicate an indeterminate or generic person (somebody/someone) Ho incontrato uno che ti conosce. It means one person.
As pronoun
It never changes in number but has a masculine and a feminine gender: uno/una
è uno dei più bravi (it’s one of the best)
ho incontrato uno che ti conosce (I met someone who knows you)
VARIO
One – Someone – Somebody
It means numerous-a large amounts – and you need to use it before the name: una maglietta di vari colori.– it can be an adjective or a pronoun.
As adjective
it has a masculine-feminine-singular-plural: vario/varia/vari/varie
ero stato varie volte a casa sua (I had been to his house several times)
As pronoun
You can use it in the plural masculine and feminine: vari/varie
vari sostengono il contrario (several argue otherwise)
Indefinite adjectives and indefinite pronouns are necessary tools to express uncertainty or ambiguity in Italian. By understanding how to use them correctly, you can improve your Italian language skills and communicate more effectively.
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