How to Say "anybody" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “anybody” is “alguien” — use 'alguien' when asking a question or making an affirmative statement to refer to an unspecified person..
alguien
/al-gyen//ˈal.ɣjen/
Examples
¿Hay alguien en casa?
Is anybody home?
Alguien llamó por teléfono.
Someone called on the phone.
Necesito hablar con alguien que sepa de computadoras.
I need to talk to someone who knows about computers.
The Opposite of 'Nadie'
'Alguien' means 'someone.' Its direct opposite is 'nadie,' which means 'no one' or 'nobody'.
Always Singular, Always the Same
'Alguien' always refers to one person and never changes its spelling for plurals or gender.
Using the 'Personal a'
When 'alguien' is the one receiving an action from a verb, you usually need to put 'a' in front of it. For example, 'Vi a alguien' (I saw someone).
Using in Negative Sentences
Mistake: “No vi a alguien.”
Correction: For negative sentences, you must switch to its opposite: 'No vi a nadie' (I didn't see anyone).
Trying to Change its Gender
Mistake: “Busco a alguiena inteligente.”
Correction: The word 'alguien' never changes. It works for any person. Say: 'Busco a alguien inteligente'.
nadie
/NAH-dyeh//ˈna.ðje/
Examples
No hay nadie en la casa.
There is nobody in the house.
Nadie sabe la respuesta.
No one knows the answer.
No quiero hablar con nadie.
I don't want to talk to anyone.
The Spanish Double Negative
In Spanish, it's correct to say 'No... nadie'. It might feel strange, but think of it as adding extra emphasis. 'No vino nadie' is the right way to say 'Nobody came'.
Starting a Sentence with 'Nadie'
If 'nadie' starts the sentence, you don't need to use 'no'. For example, 'Nadie vino' means 'Nobody came' and is just as correct as 'No vino nadie'.
Always Acts Singular
Even though 'nadie' means zero people, the verb that follows it is always in the 'he/she' form. For example, 'Nadie sabe' (Nobody knows), not 'Nadie saben'.
The 'Personal a'
When 'nobody' is the one receiving an action, you need to put 'a' in front of 'nadie'. For example, 'No vi a nadie' (I didn't see anyone).
Forgetting the 'no'
Mistake: “Vino nadie a la fiesta.”
Correction: No vino nadie a la fiesta. When 'nadie' comes after the verb, you almost always need 'no' before the verb.
Using 'Nadie' for Things
Mistake: “En la caja no hay nadie.”
Correction: En la caja no hay nada. Use 'nadie' only for people. For things, use 'nada' (nothing).
Forgetting the 'personal a'
Mistake: “No conozco nadie aquí.”
Correction: No conozco a nadie aquí. When 'nobody' is receiving the action from the verb (like 'knowing' them), you need to add the 'a'.
cualquiera
/kwal-KYEH-rah//kwalˈkjeɾa/
Examples
Cualquiera puede aprender español.
Anyone can learn Spanish.
Pregúntale a cualquiera, todos lo saben.
Ask anybody, everyone knows it.
Cualquiera de los dos vestidos te queda bien.
Either one of the two dresses looks good on you.
Using with 'que'
When you use 'cualquiera que...' to talk about a hypothetical or unknown person, the next verb often takes a special 'subjunctive' form. For example, 'Cualquiera que pueda ayudar...' (Anyone who might be able to help...).
Using 'alguien' instead
Mistake: “'Alguien' means 'someone' (a specific, but unnamed person). 'Cualquiera' means 'anyone' (it doesn't matter who).”
Correction: Use 'Alguien llamó' (Someone called). Use 'Cualquiera puede llamar' (Anyone can call).
Confusing Affirmative vs. Negative
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