Algum, Qualquer, or Nenhum? Portuguese Indefinite Words — Practice

Use algum for an unspecified one or some

Algum, alguma, alguns, and algumas agree with the noun and can refer to an unspecified person or thing. In questions, você tem algum livro? asks whether someone has any book.

Agreement makes the ending easier to identify: algum livro, alguma ideia, alguns amigos, algumas opções.

Use qualquer for any one you choose

Qualquer often means any or whichever, with a sense that the choice is open. It is commonly used before a singular noun: qualquer dia (any day), qualquer pessoa (any person).

Use qualquer when the choice does not matter or any member of a group is acceptable. In a specific question about whether something exists, algum may be more natural.

Use nenhum to say there are no items

Nenhum and nenhuma mean none or not a single one and agree with the noun. Portuguese often uses não with the verb and nenhum before the noun: não tenho nenhum ingresso (I don’t have any tickets).

For nada and ninguém, see our separate guide to Portuguese negative words. Keep the noun visible while you practice agreement.

Remember: Choose between some/unspecified, any choice, and none; then match algum or nenhum to the noun’s gender and number.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Do you have any questions?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você tem alguma pergunta?

2. I met some neighbors.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Conheci alguns vizinhos.

3. I need some information.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso de alguma informação.

4. You can choose any table.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode escolher qualquer mesa.

5. Any time after two works.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Qualquer horário depois das duas serve.

6. You can call me at any time.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode me ligar a qualquer momento.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Choose between some/unspecified, any choice, and none; then match algum or nenhum to the noun’s gender and number.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Algum, Qualquer, or Nenhum? Portuguese Indefinite Words lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.