There a two common ways to say 'some' or 'a few' in Italian: Alcuni and qualche. Let's discuss them, their differences, and when to use them.
Alcuno/Alcuna
Alcuni/Alcune stems from Alcuno which means "some", "few", "any" in the singular form.
Alcuni / Alcune
[ahl-KOO-nee]
Unlike the singualr form Alcuno/Alcuna, Alcuni / Alcune is used with plural nouns and must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Alcuni is use for masculine plural nouns while Alcune is for the plural feminine.
"Alcuni amici" means "some friends" (masculine), and "alcune amiche" means "some friends" (feminine).
Qualche
[KWAHL-keh]
Qualche is always follwed by a singular noun even though it conveys a plural meaning. It does not change form based on gender or number.
Implies plurality while remaining singular grammatically, and it's more generic.
Ex: Some girl is here. (It is talking about one girl (singular) but some girl could be any girl (plural implied))
Alcune/Alcuni vs Qualche
- Alcune/Alcuni depends on gender and number agreement
- Qualche does not change form based on gender or number.
- Alcune/Alcuni can also function as pronouns, standing alone without a noun, bute Qualche cannot.
Examples
-
Alcuni libri sono interessanti : Some books are interesting
-
Qualche libro è interessante : Some book is interesting
-
Alcune ragazze sono già arrivate : Some girls have already arrived.
-
Qualche ragazza è già arrivata : Some girl has already arrived.
-
Alcuni uccelli stanno cantando nel giardino : Some birds are singing in the garden.
-
Qualche uccello sta cantando nel giardino : Some bird is singing in the garden.