To say “any” in Spanish, you’ll often use algún or alguna if it’s a question, and ningún/ninguna if the answer is “not any.” Sometimes there is no translation for the word “any” in Spanish, so you can omit this word without changing the meaning of your sentence.
Translating simple words like “any” can get tricky if you’re just trying to memorize isolated vocabulary words and rules. Rosetta Stone helps you learn Spanish by providing opportunities to see common words like “any” in context, helping you to make stronger and more accurate connections.
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algún/alguna (any)
If you’re asking a question like “Is there any…?” or “Do you have any…?” in Spanish, you’ll want to use either algún (in front of a masculine noun) or alguna (in front of a feminine noun). This is common due to Spanish gender rules and how they work with all parts of speech.
- ¿Hay algún espacio en tu mochila? = Is there any space in your backpack?
- ¿Tiene algún pasatiempo? = Do you have any hobbies?
- ¿Hay alguna noticia sobre las elecciones? = Is there any news about the elections?
- ¿Tiene alguna pregunta? = Do you have any questions?
It’s also very common not to have a translation for the English word “any” in Spanish questions. If you’re in a classroom or work setting, the leader of the meeting might ask if there are any questions in Spanish without having to use the word “any” or even any articles in Spanish.
- ¿Hay voluntarios? = Are there any volunteers?
- ¿Tienes preguntas? = Do you have any questions?
- ¿Hay noticias? = Is there any news?
You would also form similar negative sentences where there’s no translation for “any” in Spanish in this way, simply adding no (no).
- No hay espacio en el refrigerador. = There isn’t any space in the refrigerator.
- No hay más espacio en la caja. = There isn’t any more space in the box.
ningún/ninguna (not any)
If you’re wondering how to say “any” in Spanish negative sentences, note that it requires the words ningún (“not any,” masculine) or ninguna (“not any,” feminine).
This is one of those times that English speakers may cringe at the idea of double negatives, which are improper in English but required in Spanish. These words partner with no (not) for negation in the Spanish sentences.
- Él notieneningún dinero. = He doesn’t have any money.
- Él nohacompradoninguna ropa este año. = He hasn’t purchased any clothing this year.
ninguno de/ninguna de (not any of them)
These expressions refer back to a group of people or things. Imagine you’re at a social gathering with a new acquaintance, perhaps a colleague. You have a specific group of friends that you’d like to introduce them to. They don’t know any individuals from this group. To say “not any of” them, it will depend on whether the group of friends is exclusively female or if it’s a mixed-gender or all-male group.
- ¿Conoces a mis amigos? = Do you know my friends?
- No, noconozcoa ninguno de ellos. = No, I don’t know any of them.
- ¿Conoces a mis amigas? = Do you know my friends? (group of all female friends)
- No, no conozco a ninguna de ellas. = No, I don’t know any of them. (from the exclusively female group)
algo de (any)
In questions, you can use algo de to express the idea of “any” in Spanish, but it’s not your only option in this case. You have the choice to use other quantities like un poco de (a little bit of) or “some” in Spanish.
- ¿Puedes donar algode dinero para ayudar a las personas que perdieron sus casas por el tornado? = Can you donate any money to help the people who lost their homes in the tornado?
- ¿Me das un poco de azúcar? = Can you give me some/any sugar?
The expression algo de tomar/comer is a common expression you might hear when ordering food in Spanish, and you might translate this as “anything.”
- ¿Algo de tomar? = Anything (something) to drink?
Learn how to respond with “can I have” in Spanish so that you can try out the best of what Spanish-speaking cultures have to offer.
cualquier (whichever)
The word cualquier can mean “any” in the sense of “it doesn’t matter which.” When you’re making plans and don’t want to push for anything specific, leave it to chance or to someone else by using cualquier.
- Yo comería en cualquier restaurante en esta calle. = I would eat in any restaurant on this street.
- Podemos ver cualquier película, no me importa. = We can watch any movie, it doesn’t matter to me.
Other expressions with ‘any’ in Spanish
There are many idiomatic expressions and set phrases with “any” in Spanish.
| Spanish | English |
| Bueno…/de todos modos | Anyway… (resuming a conversation topic) |
| ¡Cuando gustes!/¡No hay de qué! | Any time! (in response to gracias) |
| de todas formas | anyway/regardless |
| un día de estos | any day now |
| en cualquier momento | at any moment |
| por casualidad… | by any chance… |
| por donde lo mires | any way you look at it |
| Si te sirve de consuelo… | If it’s any consolation… |
Key takeaways about using ‘any’ in Spanish
Though there isn’t one single Spanish word for “any,” knowing a few key terms can help you form natural-sounding questions, answers, and expressions.
- In questions, algún is for masculine nouns and alguna is for feminine nouns.
- In negative statements, use ningún/ninguna meaning “not any.”
- Many questions and statements don’t include a translation for “any” in Spanish. So, you may have to omit it.
- Learn Spanish from the experts to pick up idioms and phrases in context and impress native speakers.
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