How to say “any” in Italian

Even in English, it can be sometimes tricky to use the word “any”. In this lesson we will see how to use any with the meaning of “no matter which”, and we’ll also learn how to say “anything”, “anywhere” and “anyone”!

• any – qualunque, qualsiasi
• anyone – chiunque
• anything – qualunque/qualsiasi cosa
• anywhere– ovunque /dovunque

“Any” and “anything” in Italian: qualunque and qualsiasi

The words qualunque and qualsiasi mean exactly the same thing and can therefore be used interchangeably with no problem. They only have one form.

• Per me va bene qualsiasi film.
  Any film is fine for me.
• Qualunque vestito va bene.
  Any dress will do.
• Qualsiasi proposta verrà considerata.
  Any proposal will be considered.

When they appear after the noun, they take a slightly pejorative meaning, indicating mediocrity and ordinariness.

• un uomo qualunque/ un uomo qualsiasi
  an ordinary man (with no special qualities)

As you can see, they are only used with singular nouns. They can be used with a plural noun only if they follow the noun.

• Porta dei vestiti qualsiasi.
  Bring any kind of clothes.
• Ho comprato delle birre qualunque.
  I bought some ordinary beers.

To say anything, we simply add the word cosa (thing) after qualunque and qualsiasi.

• Farei qualunque cosa per te.
  I would for anything for you.
• Prima di decidere qualsiasi cosa, voglio vederla.
  Before deciding anything I want to see her.

“Anyone” and “anywhere” in Italian

To say anyone, or whoever, we use chiunque.

• Lo potrebbe fare chiunque.
  Anyone could do it.
• Chiunque sia stato, verrà espulso.
  Whoever did it will be expelled.

To say anywhere, or wherever, we use ovunque and dovunque. These have exactly the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

• Andrei dovunque pur di non stare qui.
  I would go anywhere just not to be here.
• Ovunque tu sia, ricordati delle tue radici.
  Wherever you are, remember your roots.

The “-unque” words

As you’ve probably noticed, all these words are formed in the same way starting from basic Italian words and adding –unque:

• quale + unque – qualunque
  any – whichever
• chi + unque – chiunque
  anyone – whoever
• dove + unque – dovunque
  anywhere – wherever

And there is one last word that you will often hear that has the same construction: comunque (anyway)!

• come + unque – comunque
  anyway – however

Let’s see how it’s used with a couple of examples:

• Comunque vada, sarò orgoglioso di te.
  However it goes, I will be proud of you.
• Se piove andiamo comunque!
  If it rains we’ll go anyway!