In a recent lesson I showed you how to use Ninguém (no one) correctly in Portuguese and gave you tips on how to avoid mistakes.
Today I will show you how to say Someone/Anyone in Portuguese. It’s easy.
Here is the video lesson:
Alguém = Someone
The examples below show how to use Alguém (someone) in context. Here are two things to notice:
- We use Alguém in affirmations and in questions
- We don’t use Alguém with a negative word. If you need to say that there isn’t anyone there, you need to use Ninguém, as in example 5 below.
1)
Essa caixa está muito pesada. Alguém precisa me ajudar, por favor.
Translation:
This box is very heavy. Someone needs to help me, please.
2)
Alguém deixou esse casaco aqui.
Translation:
Someone left this coat here.
3)
Alguém está com fome?
Translation:
Is anyone hungry?
4)
Alguém pode me dizer o que aconteceu?
Translation:
Can someone tell me what happened?
5)
Dani: As luzes estão apagadas. Você acha que tem alguém em casa?
José: Não, acho que não tem ninguém em casa.
Translation:
Dani: The lights are off. Do you think there is anyone home?
José: No, I don’t think there is anyone home.
Qualquer pessoa: When Anyone is not Alguém
Sometimes, Alguém translates as Anyone, as was the case in examples 3 and 5 above.
However, this is not always the case. When the meaning of “anyone” is that any person can do something, you need to say qualquer pessoa.
See the example below:
Dani: Você acha que qualquer pessoa do seu time pode fazer esse trabalho?
José: Sim, qualquer pessoa pode fazer isso.
Translation:
Dani: Do you think that anyone in your team can do this job?
José: Yes, anyone can do this.
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