German word

irgendwas

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɪʁgn̩tˈvas/

Meaning

  • pronounanything

Example

Hast du irgendwas dabei?

Do you have anything with you?

Illustration for irgendwas (anything)

More examples

Kannst du mir irgendwas empfehlen?

Can you recommend something to me?

Core concept

A hand reaches toward a vague, unspecified item without identifying which item it is.

Common phrases

  • irgendwas empfehlen

    recommend something

  • irgendwas trinken

    drink something

Similar words

irgendetwas: An unspecified thing mentioned without details, also suitable for careful writing.
etwas: An unspecified thing or an unspecified amount of something.
nichts: The absence of anything at all.
irgendwer: An unspecified person whose identity is not given.

Definition in German

ein lockeres Indefinitpronomen, mit dem der Sprecher ohne genaue Angabe etwas Unbestimmtes meint

Word origin

Irgendwas combines the indefinite element 'irgend-' with 'was', the neuter interrogative pronoun meaning 'what'.

Usage tips

  • Irgendwas is colloquial, while irgendetwas is the more formal equivalent used in careful writing.

Other meanings

  • somethingpronoun

Opposites

Related words

  • irgendwelchesomeadjective
  • irgendwersomebodypronoun

Word lists with this word