aliquis, quīdam, quisque: someone, a certain, each
The indefinite pronouns, built from quis and quī.
LatinIntermediate Latin · PronounsAbout 3 min: 1 reading, 2 practiceUpdated
- Recognise the indefinites aliquis, quīdam, quisque and quisquam
- Choose the right one for "someone", "a certain", "each" and "anyone at all"
- Use quis after sī, nisi, nē and num
Latin Level 2: verbs and the other declensions: lesson 30 of 35
- Intermediate Latin · Verbs: the present system
- sum: I am, I was, I shall be 3 min
- The present of amō and moneō 4 min
- The imperfect: was doing 4 min
- The future: will do 3 min
- The dative with adjectives 3 min
- The present of regō and audiō 4 min
- The imperfect of regō and audiō, and verbs that take the dative 3 min
- The future of regō and audiō 3 min
- capiō, and giving orders 3 min
- Intermediate Latin · The passive voice
- The passive: being done to 3 min
- The passive of regō, audiō and capiō; passive infinitives 3 min
- Synopses, and the ablative of "from" 3 min
- Intermediate Latin · The perfect tenses
- fuī, fueram, fuerō: the perfect tenses of sum 3 min
- The perfect active: did, have done 5 min
- Had done, will have done: pluperfect and future perfect active 3 min
- amātus sum: the perfect passive 4 min
- Principal parts, prepositions, and yes-or-no questions 5 min
- possum, "I can", and the infinitive 3 min
- Intermediate Latin · Pronouns
- quī, quae, quod: who, which, that 4 min
- Intermediate Latin · The third declension
- rēx, rēgis: the third declension 4 min
- hostis, urbs, mare: i-stems 4 min
- vīs and iter; gender in the third declension 4 min
- omnis, ācer, pār: third-declension adjectives 3 min
- Intermediate Latin · The fourth and fifth declensions
- manus, cornū: the fourth declension 3 min
- Rōmae, domī, Athēnīs: place and the locative 4 min
- diēs, rēs: the fifth declension and the ablative of time 3 min
- Intermediate Latin · Pronouns
- ego, tū, sē: personal and reflexive pronouns 4 min
- ipse, "himself", and īdem, "the same" 3 min
- hic, iste, ille: this and that 4 min
- aliquis, quīdam, quisque: someone, a certain, each 3 min
- Intermediate Latin · Comparison
- clārior, clārissimus: comparing adjectives 4 min
- melior, optimus: irregular comparison, plūs, and "by how much" 3 min
- clārē, fortiter: adverbs and their comparison 4 min
- Intermediate Latin · Numerals
- ūnus, duo, trēs: numerals, "of" the whole, and "for how long" 5 min
- Intermediate Latin · Deponent verbs
- hortor, sequor: deponent verbs 3 min
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Pairs with D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners (Ginn, 1909), Lesson LII ("The Indefinite Pronouns"), §§ 296–297
What it is
Indefinite pronouns point to someone or something without saying which. Nearly all are built on quis or quī, so you already know most of their endings.
| Pronoun (noun use) | Adjective use | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| aliquis, aliquid | aliquī, aliqua, aliquod | someone, something; some |
| quīdam, quiddam | quīdam, quaedam, quoddam | a certain (one) |
| quisque, quidque | quisque, quaeque, quodque | each one; each, every |
| quisquam, quicquam | (use ūllus) | anyone (at all), anything |
| quis, quid | quī, qua, quod | anyone, anything (after sī, nisi, nē, num) |
Points to remember:
- quīdam is the least vague: you could name the person if you wanted. Like īdem, m turns to n before d: quendam, quandam, quōrundam.
- quisquam is used mainly in negative sentences: nec quisquam, and not anyone.
- quis as "anyone" never comes first and appears after sī, nisi, nē, num: sī quis, if anyone. Elsewhere use aliquis.
Quick check
Tap an answer to check it.
"A certain farmer came." Which word is "a certain"?
- quisquam is "anyone at all", mainly in negative sentences
Show answer
quīdam. quīdam: a certain (one you could name).
Why it matters
Stories begin with quīdam: "a certain king had three daughters". Rules and laws use sī quis ("if anyone …"). These words are short and frequent, so it pays to tell them apart.
Worked example
- Rēx quīdam trēs fīliās habēbat. → A certain king had three daughters.
- Aliquis vēnit. → Someone has come.
- Sī quis venit, eum videō. → If anyone comes, I see him.
Common mistake
Using quisquam in a positive sentence: wrong: Quisquam vēnit for "someone came". Use aliquis. Quisquam belongs with a negative: Nec quisquam vēnit, and no one came (usually just nēmō vēnit).
Key terms
- aliquis, aliquid
- someone, something
- quīdam, quaedam, quiddam / quoddam
- a certain (one)
- quisque, quidque
- each one
- quisquam, quicquam
- anyone (at all), in negative sentences
- sī quis
- if anyone
Practise the key terms
Tap a card to turn it over. 5 cards.
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| aliquis, aliquid | someone, something |
| quīdam, quaedam, quiddam / quoddam | a certain (one) |
| quisque, quidque | each one |
| quisquam, quicquam | anyone (at all), in negative sentences |
| sī quis | if anyone |
Practice
Quick quiz
Tap an answer to check it.
"If anyone sees the enemy …"
- Usually plain quis after sī; aliquis only when emphatic
Show answer
Sī quis hostēs videt …. After sī, nisi, nē, num: quis.
"Someone is coming."
- quisquam belongs in negative sentences
Show answer
Aliquis venit.. aliquis: someone (positive sentence).
"a certain girl" (nominative)
- The adjective agrees: feminine quaedam
Show answer
puella quaedam. Feminine nominative: quaedam.
Practise speaking
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You are a patient Latin tutor. Use the classical pronunciation only, never the Church one: c is always k, g is always hard, v sounds like w, ae like the ai in aisle, and long vowels are held longer. Speak slowly. Use only these Latin words: aliquis, aliquid, quīdam, quaedam, quoddam, quisque, quisquam, sī quis, rēx, puella, oppidum, venit, vēnit, videt. Say English sentences like 'someone came', 'a certain king', 'if anyone sees the town' or 'each one comes', and I will say them in Latin with the right indefinite. Do 8 sentences. After each answer, tell me what kind of mistake I made, if any, and let me try again, then tell me one thing to improve. Keep every reply under 2 sentences. If I need a name or a town, I will make one up. Speak English except for the Latin itself.
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Good to know. AI feedback on pronunciation is hit and miss, so check yourself against native recordings. This course teaches the classical pronunciation (see lesson 1); AI voices may mix it with the Church (Italian-style) one, so ask for classical and check against lesson 1. Don't share personal details: use a made-up name and town.
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In short
- aliquis: someone. quīdam: a certain. quisque: each. quisquam: anyone (negative).
- quis = anyone after sī, nisi, nē, num.
- Built on quis / quī; quīdam has quendam, quōrundam.
Mastery check
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Check yourself
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Which indefinite would you use for "a certain soldier"?
Show answer
quīdam (mīles quīdam).
Translate Sī quis venit, eum laudō.
Show answer
If anyone comes, I praise him.
Why not aliquis after sī?
Show answer
After sī, nisi, nē and num Latin normally uses plain quis; aliquis is used there only for emphasis.
Further reading
- D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners, Lesson LII, §§ 296–297. Public domain; Project Gutenberg.
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