Indefinite pronouns in German

In German, we will encounter many different types of pronouns. Indefinite pronouns (Indefinitpronomen) are also a part of grammar that often confuses learners. Today's article will help you learn about indefinite pronouns. Let's get started!!!

1. Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that stand in for an unspecific person or thing. Examples of indefinite pronouns include: etwas, nichts, jeder, man, jemand, niemand,...

Bringst du mir etwas zu essen mit?

(Can you bring me something to eat?)

→ etwas: something general and unspecific; the speaker doesn't care what it is, only that it's something edible

2. Groups of indefinite pronouns

a. Indefinite pronouns for persons only (Indefinitpronomen nur für Personen): man, jemand, niemand

• The indefinite pronouns "man, jemand und niemand" are used only for nouns referring to people. These pronouns are used only in the singular; there is no plural form for them.

• The indefinite pronoun "man" can be used for one or more unspecified people.

***Note: "man" ≠ der Mann — be careful not to confuse these two words.

Hier darf man nicht rauchen.

(One is not allowed to smoke here.)

• The pronouns "jemand" and "niemand" can only be used in the singular. "Jemand" means someone, referring to an unspecified person of unknown gender. "Jemand" can be combined with "irgend" to add further vagueness. The pronoun "niemand" is the negation of "jemand," meaning no one. The suffixes (en) and (em) for cases 3 and 4 may also be omitted.

***Note: Indefinite pronouns change according to case

Example:

Gibt es hier jemanden?

(Is there anyone here?)

→ jemand in this sentence is in the Akkusativ → jemanden

b. Indefinite pronouns for things only (Indefinitpronomen nur für Dinge): etwas, nichts, alles, welche-

• The indefinite pronoun "etwas" can function as an article or can replace a noun. It does not change form across the 4 cases. "etwas" is used to refer to an unspecified thing or situation, and can be combined with "irgend" to add further vagueness.

Hörst du etwas? (Do you hear anything?)

→ Ja, da ist irgendetwas. (Yes, I hear something.)

• The indefinite pronoun "nichts" is the negation of "etwas". It is also invariable (does not change).

Hörst du etwas? (Do you hear anything?)

→ Nein, ich höre nichts. (No, I don't hear anything.)

• The indefinite pronoun "alles" has a general, all-encompassing meaning.

Ich mag alles allein machen.

(I like to do everything on my own.)

• The indefinite pronoun "welch-", used as a substitute for a noun, carries the meaning of some/a few/a little…

Im Kühlschrank ist kein Käse mehr. Haben wir noch welchen?

(There is no more cheese in the fridge. Do we still have some?)c. Indefinite pronouns referring to both people and things (Indefinitpronomen für Personen und Dinge): jede, einige, manche, all-, mehrer-

• The indefinite pronoun "all-" can appear with the function of an article (Artikel) or as a substitute for a noun

Alle wollen den neuen Film von Harald Plotter sehen.

(Everyone wants to see the new film by Harald Plotter.)

→ "alle" is used to substitute for the noun "die Menschen"

• The indefinite pronoun "einige" refers to an unspecified quantity, which may be smaller or larger depending on the situation.

Scheinbar haben einige von euch den Ernst der Lage noch nicht verstanden.

(Apparently some of you have not yet understood the seriousness of the situation.)

• The indefinite pronoun "jede-" is also used to substitute for a noun. The plural of "jede-" changes to "alle-"

Jeder von euch entschuldigt sich auf der Stelle.

(Each of you apologizes on the spot.)

• The pronoun "manch-" carries the same meaning as "einige"

Manche glauben, perfekt zu sein. Aber ein jeder hat Fehler.

(Some people think they are perfect. But everyone makes mistakes.)

• The indefinite pronoun "mehrer-" carries the same meaning as "manch-" and "einig-" and it only exists in the plural

Bei der gestrigen Demonstration wurden mehrere festgenommen.

(Many people were arrested at yesterday's demonstration.)