German word

irgend

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɪʁgənt/

Meaning

  • adverbany

Example

Er sucht irgend so eine Lösung.

He's looking for some kind of solution.

Illustration for irgend (any)

More examples

Wir treffen uns irgendwo in der Stadt.

We meet somewhere in the city.

Core concept

A soft blur before a question word leaves the exact person, thing, place, time, or manner open.

Common phrases

  • irgendwo

    somewhere

  • irgendwann

    sometime

Similar words

irgendwie: In a vaguely indicated way or state, without making the details clear.
irgendwo: Somewhere not identified or specified.
irgendwann: At some unspecified point in time.

Definition in German

Unbestimmtes Partikel, das in Verbindung mit Frage- oder Indefinitwörtern eine unspezifische Bedeutung verleiht und häufig im gesprochenen Deutsch vorkommt.

Word origin

Irgend functions as a combining particle in indefinite expressions such as irgendetwas, irgendjemand, and irgendwo, widening a question word to an unspecified possibility.

Usage tips

  • Irgend normally combines with another word, so forms such as irgendetwas, irgendwann, and irgendwie are written as single words.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word