Spanish word

alguno

Pronunciation

IPA/alˈɣuno/

Meaning

  • adjectivea few

Example

Tengo algunos libros.

I have a few books.

Illustration for alguno (a few)

More examples

En la reunión había algunos invitados nuevos.

There were a few new guests at the meeting.

Core concept

A small, indefinite number of items or people.

Common phrases

  • algunos libros

    a few books

  • algunas veces

    a few times

  • algunos amigos

    a few friends

Similar words

vario: A group composed of various kinds or elements.
cierto: A certain, somewhat definite item or subset.

Definition in Spanish

Señala cierta cantidad indeterminada de personas o cosas; ante un sustantivo masculino singular suele aparecer la forma apocopada 'algún'.

Word origin

Derived from Latin aliqui 'some', giving Spanish the forms alguno and algunos and a shortened form, algún, that appears before masculine singular nouns.

Usage tips

  • Spanish often uses alguno in questions where English uses any (¿Tienes alguno?), so hearing alguno in offers or inquiries is common.

Opposites

Word lists with this word