Indefinite adjectives are used to indicate persons or things in a non-specific way, and can be both positive and negative.
In Italian there are some indefinite adjectives that are only adjectives, some indefinite adjectives that can also be used as pronouns, and some indefinite pronouns that are only pronouns.
Let's have a look at the indefinite adjectives which are only adjectives:
Masculine Singular |
Feminine Singular |
Masculine Plural |
Feminine Plural |
Meaning |
ogni |
ogni |
|
|
each, every |
qualche |
qualche |
|
|
some, a few, any (interrogative) |
qualsiasi |
qualsiasi |
|
|
any |
qualunque |
qualunque |
|
|
any |
qualsivoglia |
qualsivogliano
|
any |
Examples:
- Ogni
Ogni giorno che passa / With each passing day
Vado a scuola ogni giorno / I got to school every day
- Qualche
Io ed Anna ci siamo sposati qualche anno fa / Anna and I got married a few years ago
Avete qualche domanda da fare? / Do you have any questions?
- Qualsiasi / Qualunque
Note that Qualsiasi and qualunque can be used alternatively. Yet there are certain phrases that require one of them specifically such as "un uomo qualunque" /an ordinary man.
- Qualsiasi, qualunque studente può frequentare questo corso / Any student can attend this class
- In qualsiasi, qualunque momento / Anytime, at any time
- In qualsiasi, qualunque posto / Anywhere
- Qualsivoglia
Literary variant of qualsiasi / qualunque. The plural form (qualsivogliano) is extremely rare.
Temuta da qualsivoglia animale / Feared by any animal