Alguno/s vs. uno/s

Emanuel B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Alguno/s vs. uno/s

Can they be used synonymously? What is the difference in meaning and use between the two?

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Emanuel

They are not always interchangeable. In these two sentences taken from the lesson, they are interchangeable:

Necesito un bolígrafo. ¿Tienes alguno/uno?

I need a pen. Do you have one?

A Melisa le hace falta una camisa roja. ¿Le prestas alguna/una?

Melisa needs a red shirt. Can you lend her one?

However in the examples with the plurals "algunos/algunas" we wouldn't use the plural "unos/unas":

-Fuimos a ver museos. -Muy bien, y ¿pudisteis visitar algunos? (not "unos")

-We went to see museums. -Very good, and did you manage to visit any?  

Tengo muchas postales de Venecia, ¿quieres algunas? (not "unas")

I have many postcards from Venice, do you want some?

Also, when we refer with alguno/alguna to "the odd one/ a random one" you cannot use "uno/una", because then it won't mean "the odd one/a random one":

¿Probaste muchos platos exóticos en el evento gastronómico? -Sí, probé alguno.

-Did you try lots of exotic dishes in the gastronomic event? -Yes, I tried some (random dishes).

¿Probaste muchos platos exóticos en el evento gastronómico? -Sí, probé uno.

-Did you try lots of exotic dishes in the gastronomic event? -Yes, I tried ONE.

It would mean something different in this case.

Saludos

Inma

 

 

Alguno/s vs. uno/s

Can they be used synonymously? What is the difference in meaning and use between the two?

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