iemand/niemand

Someone/No One

Level 2

Iemand (someone) and niemand (no one) are indefinite pronouns used for people. They always take a singular verb.

How It Works

In Dutch, iemand and niemand are the standard ways to refer to unspecified people.

  • People vs. Things: Use iemand (someone) and niemand (no one) only for people. To refer to things, use iets or niets.
  • Usage: Dutch uses iemand for both 'someone' and 'anyone' in questions (e.g., Is er iemand?). However, if you mean 'anyone' in the sense of 'it doesn't matter who', use iedereen or wie dan ook.
  • The Role of 'Er': When iemand or niemand is the subject but is not the first word in the sentence, you often add er, though it is not always needed. For example: Er klopt iemand op de deur vs. Iemand klopt op de deur.
  • Grammar: Both pronouns are strictly singular and invariant. They use the same form whether they are the subject or the object. Even if you are talking about a group, you must use the third-person singular verb form (e.g., iemand is).
  • Negation: Niemand is already negative. You should never use niet with it.
  • Adjectives: When an adjective follows these words, it usually gets an -s ending. This is a standard construction called the partitive -s and is correct in both speech and formal writing (e.g., iemand interessants).
  • Referring Back: When referring back to 'iemand', the traditional default is masculine, so you use zijn (his).
  • Someone Else: To say 'someone else' or 'no one else', add the word anders: iemand anders or niemand anders.
  • Possession: You can show possession by adding an -s directly: iemands tas. In spoken Dutch, people also use iemand zijn/haar tas.

Examples (5)

  1. Er klopt iemand op de deur.

    Someone is knocking on the door.

    Word by Word: There knocks someone on the door.

    Here 'iemand' refers to an unknown person and takes the singular verb 'klopt'.

  2. Heeft iemand mijn sleutels gezien?

    Has anyone seen my keys?

    Word by Word: Has someone my keys seen?

    In questions, 'iemand' translates to 'anyone'.

  3. Ik heb niemand gezien in het park.

    I saw no one in the park.

    Word by Word: I have no one seen in the park.

    Notice that 'niemand' is used alone without 'niet'.

  4. Zoek je iemand speciaals?

    Are you looking for someone special?

    Word by Word: Seek you someone special-s?

    The adjective 'speciaal' gets an '-s' because it follows 'iemand'.

  5. Dat is niemands schuld.

    That is no one's fault.

    Word by Word: That is no one's fault.

    The possessive '-s' is attached directly to 'niemand'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a double negative with 'niemand'.

    Ik ken niet niemand.
    Ik ken niemand.

    'Niemand' already means 'no one'. Adding 'niet' (not) makes the sentence grammatically incorrect in Dutch.

  • Putting 'er' and 'iemand' both before the verb in a main clause.

    Er iemand klopt op de deur.
    Iemand klopt op de deur.

    In a main clause the verb must be second. Say 'Iemand klopt op de deur', or put the verb after 'er' as in 'Er klopt iemand op de deur'.

  • Using a plural verb with 'niemand'.

    Niemand zijn hier.
    Niemand is hier.

    Even though 'niemand' might imply a group of zero people, it is grammatically singular and requires a singular verb.

How It Connects

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iemand/niemandLevel 2Someone/No One

Learn This First

To use 'iemand' (someone) and 'niemand' (no one), you need to understand how they function as subjects in a sentence. They always take the third-person singular verb form (like 'hij' or 'zij'). It is also helpful to understand the parallel between these person-based pronouns and the object-based pronouns 'iets' and 'niets'.

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Words in This Pattern

iemandniemand