cualquiera
“cualquiera” means “any” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
any
Also: whichever, just any
📝 In Action
Puedes elegir cualquier color.
A2You can choose any color.
Llámame a cualquier hora.
A2Call me at any time.
No es un día cualquiera, es mi cumpleaños.
B1It's not just any day, it's my birthday.
Un libro cualquiera no me serviría; necesito uno específico.
B1Just any book wouldn't work for me; I need a specific one.
anyone, anybody
Also: whoever, either one
📝 In Action
Cualquiera puede aprender español.
B1Anyone can learn Spanish.
Pregúntale a cualquiera, todos lo saben.
B1Ask anybody, everyone knows it.
Cualquiera de los dos vestidos te queda bien.
B1Either one of the two dresses looks good on you.
Cualquiera que termine primero, gana un premio.
B2Whoever finishes first wins a prize.
a nobody
Also: an average Joe, a hack
📝 In Action
Él se cree un experto, pero es un cualquiera.
B2He thinks he's an expert, but he's a nobody.
No voy a dejar que un cualquiera me diga qué hacer.
B2I'm not going to let some random person tell me what to do.
Ella no es una cualquiera; es una profesional respetada.
C1She's not just anyone; she is a respected professional.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "cualquiera" in Spanish:
a hack→a nobody→any→anybody→anyone→either one→just any→whichever→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cualquiera
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from Old Spanish 'qual quiera', which is a combination of the Latin words 'quālis' (what kind, which) and 'quaerat' (he/she may want/seek). So, it literally means 'whichever one you may want'!
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'cualquier' and 'cualquiera'?
It's all about placement! Use the short form 'cualquier' when it's directly in front of the thing you're describing (e.g., 'cualquier libro' - any book). Use the full form 'cualquiera' when it comes after the noun ('un libro cualquiera') or stands on its own as a pronoun ('Cualquiera puede hacerlo' - Anyone can do it).
Is there a plural form, like 'cualquieras'?
Yes, but it's very rare in modern Spanish. The formal plural is 'cualesquiera'. You might see it in old texts or very formal writing, but in everyday conversation, people almost always use the singular form 'cualquiera' even when the meaning is plural.
Can 'cualquiera' be negative or insulting?
Yes, it can. If you call someone 'un cualquiera' or 'una cualquiera', you're being dismissive and saying they are a 'nobody' or a person of no importance. The tone and context are key to understanding this meaning.