Indefinite pronouns (någon, något, några)

In Swedish, the words for "some", "any", "someone", or "something" change depending on the gender and number of the noun they refer to.

Ett-words: något

For ett-words, use något. When used on its own without a noun, it means "something" or "anything".

Is something happening here?
Händer det något här?
Do we need any sugar?
Behöver vi något socker?

En-words: någon

For singular en-words, the form is någon. When used on its own as a pronoun, it translates to "someone" or "anyone".

I am looking for someone.
Jag söker någon.

Plurals: några

When talking about multiple things, use några for both en- and ett-words. It translates to "some", "a few", or "any".

Do you have any questions?
Har du några frågor?
He is giving us some apples.
Han ger oss några äpplen.

"Someone else" and "Everything"

You can combine någon with annan (other) to say "someone else".

Maybe someone else knows the answer.
Kanske vet någon annan svaret.

To refer to "everything", use the neuter word allt.

Can you tell us everything?
Kan du berätta allt för oss?

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