German word

irgendetwas

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌɪʁgn̩tˈɛtvas/

Meaning

  • pronounanything

Example

Hast du irgendetwas gesehen?

Have you seen anything?

Illustration for irgendetwas (anything)

More examples

Ich habe irgendetwas im Schrank gefunden.

I found something in the cupboard.

Core concept

An open, blurry slot where any possible thing or occurrence could fit.

Common phrases

  • irgendetwas tun

    do something

  • nach irgendetwas suchen

    search for something

  • auf irgendetwas warten

    wait for something

Similar words

etwas: A thing or amount known to exist but not clearly identified.
was: Used to ask which specific thing is involved.
irgendwas: A colloquial way to refer to an unspecified thing or occurrence.

Definition in German

ein indefinites Pronomen für unbestimmte Dinge oder Ereignisse; im gesprochenen Deutsch oft durch irgendwas ersetzt

Word origin

Irgendetwas is a compound of the indefinite element irgend- and the pronoun etwas, which refers to an unspecified thing.

Usage tips

  • The spelling is one word, and spoken German often shortens irgendetwas to irgendwas; the shorter form is more colloquial.

Other meanings

  • whateverpronoun
  • somethingpronoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word