någon/något/några

Someone/something/some

Level 2

Before nouns: någon + common-gender singular, något + neuter singular, några + plural. On their own, någon can mean someone and något something; an understood noun can also determine the form.

How It Works

Någon, något, and några are indefinite pronouns and determiners used to refer to an unspecified person, thing, or quantity. The correct form depends on the noun's gender and number.

Here's the breakdown:

  • Någon: Used for singular en-words (common gender).
    Ex: Har du någon penna? (Do you have a/any pen?)
    It's also used by itself to mean 'someone' or 'anybody'.
    Ex: Är någon hemma? (Is anyone home?)
  • Något: Used for singular ett-words (neuter gender).
    Ex: Vill du ha något äpple? (Do you want an/any apple?)
    It's also used by itself to mean 'something' or 'anything'.
    Ex: Hände det något? (Did anything happen?)
  • Några: Used for all plural nouns, regardless of gender.
    Ex: Jag såg några filmer igår. (I saw some movies yesterday.)
    It can also be used by itself to mean 'some' or 'a few'.
    Ex: Vill du ha några? (Do you want some/a few?)

In questions and negative statements, these words often translate to 'any', while in positive statements, they usually mean 'some'.

Do not choose någon or något simply by whether the referent is a person or a thing: någon bok refers to a thing, while något barn refers to a child. Standalone något followed by an adjective commonly takes the neuter adjective form: något roligt (something fun). Nån and nåt are common informal spellings of spoken forms; någon and något are useful defaults in formal writing.

Examples (5)

  1. Är det någon i rummet?

    Is there anyone in the room?

    Word by Word: Is it someone in the-room?

    Here, 'någon' is used as a pronoun to mean 'someone' or 'anyone'.

  2. Jag har något problem med datorn.

    I have a problem with the computer.

    Word by Word: I have some problem with the-computer.

    'Något' is used because 'problem' is an 'ett' word ('ett problem').

  3. Jag har några frågor.

    I have some questions.

    Word by Word: I have some questions.

    'Några' is used for the plural noun 'frågor' (questions).

  4. Kan jag få någon bok att läsa?

    Can I get a book to read?

    Word by Word: Can I get some book to read?

    'Någon' agrees with 'bok', which is an 'en' word ('en bok').

  5. Några av mina vänner kommer ikväll.

    Some of my friends are coming tonight.

    Word by Word: Some of my friends come tonight.

    Here, 'några' acts as a pronoun meaning 'some' or 'a few'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'någon' for 'ett' nouns or 'något' for 'en' nouns.

    Jag har någon problem.
    Jag har något problem.

    The word 'problem' is an 'ett' word ('ett problem'), so you must use 'något', not 'någon'.

  • Using a singular form ('någon' or 'något') with a plural noun.

    Jag köpte någon böcker.
    Jag köpte några böcker.

    'Böcker' (books) is plural, so you must use the plural form 'några'.

How It Connects

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

någon/något/någraLevel 2Someone/something/some

Learn This First

To use 'någon', 'något', and 'några' correctly, you must first understand Swedish noun genders (en/ett) and how to form plurals. This is because these pronouns must agree in gender and number with the noun they are describing or replacing.

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Words in This Pattern

någonnågotnågra