Inklingo

How to Say "whatever" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cualquier

/kwal-KYEHR//kwalˈkjeɾ/

Adjective / DeterminerA2General
Use 'cualquier' when 'whatever' functions as an adjective or determiner, meaning 'any' or 'whichever' when referring to a non-specific noun.
A child happily selecting one simple, solid-colored shirt from a row of identical shirts on a wooden rack.

Examples

Puedes elegir cualquier camisa, no me importa.

You can choose any shirt, I don't mind.

Llámame a cualquier hora si necesitas algo.

Call me at any time if you need something.

Cualquier día es bueno para empezar a aprender español.

Any day is a good day to start learning Spanish.

Always Before a Noun

Use 'cualquier' right before the person or thing you're talking about. It works for both masculine and feminine words, which is super helpful! Example: 'cualquier libro' (any book), 'cualquier casa' (any house).

The Singular Trick

Even when you mean 'any' in a general, plural sense, you almost always use 'cualquier' with a singular noun. For example, 'Pregúntale a cualquier estudiante' means 'Ask any student,' but it implies you could ask all of them.

Mixing up 'Cualquier' and 'Cualquiera'

Mistake: “Quiero *cualquiera* libro.”

Correction: Quiero *cualquier* libro. (I want any book.) When the word for 'any' comes *before* the item, it shortens to 'cualquier'. Think of it as a special rule for when it's in front.

cuanto

/KWAN-toh//ˈkwanto/

PronounB2General
Use 'cuanto' when 'whatever' acts as a pronoun meaning 'all that which' or 'as much as', often implying the entirety of something.
Two open hands holding a single, large, glowing heart, representing 'all that' or 'everything that'.

Examples

Hizo cuanto pudo para ayudar.

He did all that he could to help.

Gracias por cuanto has hecho por mí.

Thank you for everything that you have done for me.

The One Form That Stays Put

When 'cuanto' stands on its own and means 'everything that', it doesn't change. It almost always stays in the simple 'cuanto' form because it's talking about a general idea, not a specific masculine or feminine thing.

Choosing Between 'Cualquier' and 'Cuanto'

The most common mistake is using 'cualquier' when the meaning is 'all that which' or 'as much as'. Remember that 'cualquier' modifies a noun (like 'any shirt'), while 'cuanto' stands alone as a pronoun representing a quantity or amount (like 'all that he could').

Related Translations

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