Question about word choices

Pati E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Question about word choices

In the last sentence, why was it not appropriate to use "cualquiera" for the word "any"?


Thank you

Pati Ecuamiga

Asked 1 year ago
InmaKwiziq team member

Hola Pati

cualquier/a and algún/a are very similar but not always interchangeable. 

Cualquier has that specific nuance of "it doesn't matter which or what", as we define it here in this lesson. The problem is that I don't think the English makes that different very obvious, and uses "any" for both. 

If I say:

Puedes coger cualquier pastel. 

What I mean here is that you can pick "any" as in whichever you like, no limitation, you choose. 

But if I say:

Puedes coger algún pastel.

Although the options are unlimited, "algún/a" doesn´t carry that nuance that cualquier has. 

In the sentence from the writing challenge: I'll see if I have any chance with him." we most likely go for "alguna" or "una" because that sentence is not really offering that interpretation that I mentioned before. It's just saying "a chance,  some chance". 

Saludos

 

Question about word choices

In the last sentence, why was it not appropriate to use "cualquiera" for the word "any"?


Thank you

Pati Ecuamiga

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Getting that for you now...