Spanish Conversation · Level 14
89 words
Spanish word
algún
Pronunciation
IPA/alˈɣun/
Meaning
- adjectivesome
Example
Hay algún problema con la impresora.
There is some problem with the printer.
More examples
¿Tienes algún consejo para mejorar mi español?
Do you have some advice to improve my Spanish?
Core concept
An existing but unspecified masculine person or thing.
Common phrases
algún problema
some kind of problem
algún lugar
a certain place
algún consejo
some advice
Similar words
alguno: After a noun or standing alone, indicates one or several unspecified items or people.
cualquier: Before a noun, indicates any member of a group without distinguishing type or individual.
cierto: Indicates a particular, somewhat identified person or thing without naming it explicitly.
Definition in Spanish
Indica la existencia indeterminada de una persona o cosa cuando va delante de un sustantivo singular masculino.
Word origin
The form 'algún' is a fixed apocopic shortening of Old Spanish 'alguno' used before masculine singular nouns and it traces back to Latin aliquis/aliquem.
Usage tips
- The apocope remains even when an adjective separates the article and noun, as in 'algún buen amigo', so the accent stays despite the intervening adjective.