Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Someone in Spanish
Alguien · pronoun · AHL-gee-ehn
The Spanish word for someone/somebody is 'alguien,' an indefinite pronoun referring to an unspecified person. Unlike English, 'alguien' is invariable — it doesn't change for gender or number. When asking if someone from a known group will do something, 'alguno/alguna' might be more appropriate.
Pronounced AHL-gee-ehn with stress on the first syllable. Three syllables with a soft 'g' before 'i' and a light final syllable.
Alguien dejó la puerta abierta y se escapó el gato.
Someone left the door open and the cat escaped.
Someone in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for someone, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| alguien | someone | AHL-gee-ehn | Default, widely understood |
| alguno | someone | someone (from a specific group) | |
| una persona | someone | a person (descriptive) |
How Native Speakers Use Alguien
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Looking for help
¿Hay alguien aquí que hable inglés?
Is there someone here who speaks English?
Common travel phrase using 'alguien' with the subjunctive 'hable' (speaks) since the person is unknown.
Reporting something
Alguien rayó mi carro en el estacionamiento y no dejó nota.
Someone scratched my car in the parking lot and didn't leave a note.
Unknown person scenario where the speaker doesn't know who did it.
Offering
¿Alguien quiere más café o ya están satisfechos?
Does someone want more coffee or are you all satisfied?
Offering something to an unspecified person in a group setting.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Alguien
Adding gender to 'alguien'
Incorrect: Alguiena llamó por teléfono.
Correct: Alguien llamó por teléfono.
'Alguien' is invariable — it never changes form regardless of whether the unknown person is male, female, or unknown gender. There is no feminine form.
Confusing 'alguien' with 'alguno'
Incorrect: Alguien de ustedes tiene que ayudarme.
Correct: Alguno de ustedes tiene que ayudarme.
When referring to someone from a specific, known group, use 'alguno/alguna' (one of). 'Alguien' is for a completely unidentified person not from a defined group.
Lock in Someone Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Alguien used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using alguien in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Alguien dejó la puerta abierta y se escapó el gato. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Someone in Spanish
- What's the difference between 'alguien' and 'alguno'?
- The word 'alguien' refers to an unknown, unidentified person (someone out there), while 'alguno/alguna' means 'one' or 'some' from a known group — compare 'alguien llamó' (someone called, unknown) with 'alguno de mis amigos llamó' (one of my friends called).
- Does 'alguien' change for gender?
- The pronoun 'alguien' is completely invariable and has no gender forms — it stays the same regardless of context, even when you suspect the person is female, which differs from 'alguno' that does have feminine/plural forms (alguna, algunos, algunas).
- How do I use 'alguien' with the subjunctive?
- When 'alguien' appears in a question or conditional where the person's existence is uncertain, Spanish uses the subjunctive: '¿Conoces a alguien que sepa cocinar?' (Do you know someone who knows how to cook?) uses 'sepa' (subjunctive) because the person may not exist.