A2 pronoun 2 min de lecture

qualcuno

Entraîne-toi

Overview

The Italian indefinite pronoun 'qualcuno' is a versatile word used to refer to an unspecified person or persons. It literally translates to 'some one' or 'any one'. Unlike English, where 'someone' and 'anyone' have distinct uses (typically positive vs. interrogative/negative contexts), 'qualcuno' can often be used in both.

Key Characteristics:

  1. 1Gender and Number Agreement: 'Qualcuno' itself is invariable in form, meaning it doesn't change for gender or number. However, any adjectives or past participles referring back to 'qualcuno' will take the masculine singular form. For example: 'Qualcuno è arrivato' (Someone has arrived - 'arrivato' is masculine singular). Even if the 'someone' is known to be female, the grammatical agreement remains masculine singular because 'qualcuno' is grammatically masculine singular.
  1. 1Usage with Prepositions: When 'qualcuno' is followed by a preposition, it directly precedes it. For example: 'Ho parlato con qualcuno' (I spoke with someone). 'Qualcuno di voi' (Someone among you/some of you).
  1. 1In Positive Sentences: In affirmative sentences, 'qualcuno' typically means 'someone' or 'somebody'.
  • Example: 'Qualcuno ha bussato alla porta.' (Someone knocked on the door.)
  1. 1In Interrogative Sentences: In questions, 'qualcuno' can also mean 'anyone' or 'anybody'.
  • Example: 'C'è qualcuno in casa?' (Is anyone home?)
  1. 1In Negative Sentences: 'Qualcuno' is generally not used in strictly negative sentences. Instead, 'nessuno' (no one/nobody/anyone/anybody) is used.
  • Incorrect: 'Non c'è qualcuno.'
  • Correct: 'Non c'è nessuno.' (There isn't anyone/There is no one.)
  • However, 'qualcuno' can appear in sentences with negative implications, especially with verbs like 'dubitare' (to doubt) or 'negare' (to deny), where the negativity is in the verb itself rather than directly on the pronoun.
  1. 1Distinction from 'qualche': While both relate to 'some', 'qualcuno' refers to 'some person/people', whereas 'qualche' is an adjective meaning 'some' and always precedes a singular noun (e.g., 'qualche libro' - some book/a few books).
  1. 1Formal vs. Informal: 'Qualcuno' is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Exemples

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Collocations courantes

qualcuno di voi
qualcuno che conosco
qualcuno che ti ama
qualcuno che mi aiuti

Souvent confondu avec

qualcuno vs qualcheduno

rare, literary

Modèles grammaticaux

followed by di + noun/pronoun followed by che + verb in subjunctive used with a partitive meaning

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

Used to refer to an unspecified person. It is always singular and masculine, even when the person referred to might be feminine. For example, 'Qualcuno ha chiamato?' (Has someone called?) could refer to a man or a woman.

Erreurs courantes

Do not use 'qualcuna' for a feminine person; 'qualcuno' is always masculine singular. Do not use it with a partitive article (e.g., 'qualcuno dei libri' is incorrect, use 'alcuni dei libri').

Astuces

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Word Type

'Qualcuno' is an indefinite pronoun in Italian, meaning 'someone,' 'somebody,' or 'anyone.' It refers to an unspecified person.

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Agreement

'Qualcuno' is always masculine singular, even when referring to a group that might include women. For example, 'Qualcuno è arrivato' (Someone has arrived) uses the masculine singular verb form.

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Usage in Questions and Negative Sentences

While 'qualcuno' generally means 'someone' in affirmative sentences, it can be used in questions to ask if 'anyone' is present, e.g., 'C'è qualcuno?' (Is anyone there?). In negative sentences, you would typically use 'nessuno' (no one) instead of 'non qualcuno'.

Origine du mot

From Latin 'qualis unus' (what kind of one), or 'quālem ūnum' (such a one).

Teste-toi

fill blank

C'è ________ che ti cerca.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Non ho visto ________ di nuovo oggi.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
translate

I need someone to talk to.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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