quidam, aliquis, quisque, quisquam (Some, Someone, Each, Anyone)

Some, Someone, Each, Anyone

Level 5

Four words for some, each and any: each has its own job.

How It Works

WordMeaningExample
quidam, quaedam, quoddama certainQuidam puer in horto sedet.
aliquis, aliqua, aliquidsomeone, somethingAliquis ianuam pulsat.
quisque, quaeque, quidqueeach oneSuum cuique.
quisquam, quidquamanyone, anythingNon vidi quemquam.

Quidam declines like qui with -dam added, and m becomes n before d: quendam, quandam. Quisque declines like quis with -que: cuique (to each).

Nemo quisquam means no one at all. It is a stronger form of nemo.

After si, nisi, num and ne, aliquis drops its first syllable and becomes quis: si quis means if anyone.

Examples (5)

  1. Quidam puer in horto sedet.

    A certain boy is sitting in the garden.

    Quidam agrees with puer. The speaker knows who it is but does not say.

  2. Aliquis ianuam pulsat.

    Someone is knocking at the door.

    Aliquis is someone, whoever it may be.

  3. Suum cuique.

    To each their own.

    Cuique is the dative of quisque. Suum is the thing given: the one that belongs to each.

  4. Non vidi quemquam.

    I did not see anyone.

    Quemquam is the accusative of quisquam, which follows a negative.

  5. Homo quidam erat dives.

    A certain man was rich.

    Luke 16:19. Quidam agrees with homo, and dives is the describing word after erat.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

quidam, aliquis, quisque, quisquam (Some, Someone, Each, Anyone)Level 5Some, Someone, Each, Anyone

Learn This First

These words are built on the forms of quis.

Words in This Pattern

quidamquidamaliquialiquisquisquequisquamquisquam