Inklingo

How to Say "anything" in Spanish

English → Spanish

algo

/al-go//ˈal.ɣo/

PronounA1General
Use 'algo' when asking a question or in an 'if' clause, where 'anything' implies an unspecified thing or amount.
A person looking at a gift box that is slightly open, with a mysterious glow coming from inside, representing an unknown 'something'.

Examples

Quiero comer algo.

I want to eat something.

¿Viste algo raro?

Did you see anything strange?

Hay algo en mi ojo.

There is something in my eye.

The Opposite of 'Nada'

'Algo' means 'something' and is the direct opposite of 'nada,' which means 'nothing.' If a question uses 'algo,' the negative answer often uses 'nada.'

Always Stays the Same

'Algo' is a special word that never changes. It doesn't become 'alga' or 'algos' to match other words. It's always just 'algo.'

Using 'Algo' vs. 'Alguno'

Mistake: “Quiero algo libro.”

Correction: Say 'Quiero algún libro' (I want some book) or 'Quiero algo para leer' (I want something to read). Use 'algo' for a general 'something,' but use 'algún/alguno' when you're talking about one of a specific type of thing.

nada

/NAH-dah//ˈnaða/

PronounA1General
Use 'nada' in negative sentences when 'anything' means 'not anything' or 'nothing', or as a standalone answer meaning 'nothing'.
An empty open wooden box, representing the concept of 'nothing'.

Examples

No quiero nada.

I don't want anything.

¿Qué quieres comer? —Nada, gracias.

What do you want to eat? —Nothing, thank you.

No hay nada en la nevera.

There is nothing in the fridge.

No entiendo nada de lo que dices.

I don't understand anything you're saying.

The Spanish Double Negative

In Spanish, it's correct to use two 'no' words together. If 'nada' comes after the verb, you must also put 'no' before the verb. For example, 'No veo nada' (I don't see anything).

Forgetting the 'no'

Mistake: “Veo nada en el cielo.”

Correction: No veo nada en el cielo. (I don't see anything in the sky.) When 'nada' follows the verb, you almost always need 'no' in front of the verb to make the sentence negative.

Using 'algo' in negative sentences

The most common mistake is using 'algo' in a negative sentence where 'nada' is required. Remember that in Spanish, you often need a negative word like 'no' before the verb, and 'nada' functions as the negative object, similar to 'anything' in English negative statements.

Related Translations

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