Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified people or things. They don't refer to a specific person or object.
These pronouns are essential for expressing general statements and asking about unknown quantities.
This lesson covers the main indefinite pronouns and how to use them correctly in German sentences.
Explanation
Common indefinite pronouns include 'jemand' (someone), 'niemand' (no one), 'etwas' (something), and 'nichts' (nothing).
'Jemand' and 'niemand' are used for people and can take cases. 'Etwas' and 'nichts' are used for things.
Indefinite pronouns can be used with or without articles, depending on the context and the specific pronoun.
Some indefinite pronouns like 'alle', 'viele', 'einige' can function as both pronouns and adjectives.
Indefinite Pronouns
| Pronoun | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| jemand | someone | For people (can decline) |
| niemand | no one | For people (can decline) |
| etwas | something | For things (doesn't decline) |
| nichts | nothing | For things (doesn't decline) |
| alle | all/everyone | Can be pronoun or adjective |
| viele | many | Can be pronoun or adjective |
| einige | some | Can be pronoun or adjective |
| manche | some | Can be pronoun or adjective |
| jeder | every/each | Declines like definite article |
| keiner | none/no one | Declines like definite article |
Examples
Jemand hat angerufen.
Someone called.
Niemand ist hier.
No one is here.
Ich brauche etwas.
I need something.
Ich habe nichts.
I have nothing.
Alle sind gekommen.
Everyone came.
Viele haben es gesehen.
Many have seen it.
Einige bleiben zu Hause.
Some stay at home.
Jeder kann es machen.
Everyone can do it.
Keiner weiß die Antwort.
No one knows the answer.
Common Mistakes
Jemand hat es gesehen
Jemand hat es gesehen
'Jemand' is correct, but remember it can take cases: 'Ich sehe jemanden' (accusative).
Nichts ist hier
Nichts ist hier
'Nichts' is correct. Remember it's always used with 'ist' (singular), not 'sind'.
Alle ist da
Alle sind da
'Alle' is plural, so use 'sind', not 'ist'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.