kes tahes / mis iganes
Whoever and Whatever
Helista millal tahes means call any time. Tahes and iganes turn a question word into an any- or -ever word.
How It Works
Put tahes or iganes after a question word, and it means any or -ever:
- kes tahes — anyone, whoever
- mis tahes / mis iganes — anything, whatever
- millal tahes — any time, whenever
- kus iganes / kuhu tahes — anywhere, wherever
Only the question word changes. It takes whatever case the sentence needs, and tahes or iganes stays the same: See võib juhtuda kellega tahes. Tee, mida iganes tahad.
Before a noun, mis tahes does not change: mis tahes ajal (at any time), mis tahes küsimuses (on any question). It can also be written as one word, mistahes; both spellings are standard.
Ükskõik in front of the question word says the same thing and is the most common choice in everyday speech: ükskõik kes, ükskõik mis, ükskõik kuhu.
Use these words in positive sentences. In a negative sentence, use keegi, midagi or ükski: Ma ei näinud kedagi.
When the phrase starts a clause, as in Tee, mida iganes tahad, a comma separates it from the rest of the sentence.
Examples (6)
- Helista mulle millal tahes.
Call me any time.
Millal tahes means at any time you like.
- Tee, mida iganes tahad.
Do whatever you want.
Mida is the partitive object of tahad; iganes does not change.
- See võib juhtuda kellega tahes.
That can happen to anyone.
Juhtuma takes -ga, so kes becomes kellega.
- Kes tahes võib võistlusel osaleda.
Anyone can take part in the competition.
Kes tahes is the subject here.
- Tema poole võib pöörduda mis tahes küsimuses.
You can turn to him on any question.
Before a noun, mis tahes stays the same.
- Ükskõik mis juhtub, ära muretse.
Whatever happens, don't worry.
Ükskõik mis is the everyday way to say mis iganes.
Common Mistakes
Using kes tahes in a negative sentence.
Ma ei näinud keda tahes.Ma ei näinud kedagi.Tahes and iganes are for positive sentences. For nobody or not anyone, use a negative with keegi.
Leaving the question word in the nominative.
Ta räägib kes tahes.Ta räägib kellega tahes.The question word takes the case the verb needs: rääkima kellegagi, so kellega tahes.
How It Connects
Learn This First
tahes and iganes follow question words.
Related Patterns
- keegi / midagiSomeone and Something
Someone and something; use these instead in negative sentences.
Level 2 - keegi ei / mitte midagiNobody and Nothing
Nobody and nothing, the negative partners of these words.
Level 2 - kunagi / kuskil / kuhugiSometime and Somewhere
Words for sometime and somewhere, less open than millal tahes.
Level 3 - kõik, misEverything That (Kõik, Mis)
Kõik, mida tahad is close in meaning to mida iganes tahad.
Level 4 - Relative Clause with mis
Mida iganes can start a clause like a relative pronoun.
Level 3 - olgu ... võiWhatever It May Be (Olgu)
Olgu with milline tahes: Tulen kindlasti, olgu ilm milline tahes.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice kes tahes / mis iganes in Bubblegum
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