To express "whoever", "whatever", or "wherever", Italian uses indefinite pronouns and adjectives. Because they refer to an unspecified person, thing, or place, they trigger the subjunctive mood.
Dovunque (Wherever)
To say "wherever" or "anywhere that", use dovunque followed by the subjunctive.
| Wherever you go, you must respect the boundaries. | Dovunque tu vada, devi rispettare i confini. |
| Wherever they are, they will have to follow this principle. | Dovunque siano, dovranno seguire questo principio. |
Qualunque and Qualsiasi (Whatever / Whichever)
To express "whatever" or "whichever", use qualunque or qualsiasi. They are completely interchangeable.
To say "whatever happens", Italian says "whatever thing happens" (qualunque cosa or qualsiasi cosa).
| Whatever happens, this principle applies. | Qualunque cosa accada, questo principio vale. |
| Whichever rule you choose, it must be universal. | Qualsiasi regola tu scelga, deve essere universale. |
These words are also frequently followed directly by the subjunctive of essere to mean "whatever [something] may be".
| Whatever the rule is, you must not violate it. | Qualunque sia la regola, non devi infrangerla. |
Chiunque (Whoever)
To say "whoever" or "anyone who", use the pronoun chiunque followed by the subjunctive.
| Whoever you are, you must accept this absolute principle. | Chiunque tu sia, devi accettare questo principio assoluto. |
| We will not admit anyone who breaks this rule. | Non ammetteremo chiunque infranga questa regola. |
Use these indefinite clauses to state universal truths, extend open invitations, or set absolute boundaries.
| Whoever is hungry is welcome, wherever they live. | Chiunque abbia fame è benvenuto, dovunque viva. |
