When to use Alguno and Unos

Question

When is it you use "alguno" and unos/unas? As far as I can tell, they both mean "some", and I don't know when to use which. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Codyyoung37,

When is it you use "alguno" and unos/unas? As far as I can tell, they both mean "some", and I don't know when to use which. Thanks!

This is a good question, and I will try to answer it as best I can by pointing out when it might be appropriate to use them, so that you can decide for yourself.

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Alguno/alguna/algunas/algunos

1). In the singular, usually means some or any

¿Has visto alguna mejora en sus relaciones? - Have you seen some/any improvement in their relationship?

Algún día iré a los estados unidos - Some day I will go to the United States

2). Can be used as a pronoun

Algunos de mis amigos son médicos - Some of my friends are doctors.

¿Conoces a alguna de las niñas? - Do you know some/any of the girls?

3). In the plural, algunos/as usually means the same thing as unos/unas.

Han ido a tomar unas/algunas refrescas al bar de la esquina - They've gone to have some/a few drinks at the local bar

Aquí tengo unos/algunos juegos electrónicos. - I have some/a few video games here.

Unos/unas

1). Often the plural form of the indefinite article can best be translated as "a few" or "approximately." (see above)

2). Other times unos/unas may not be translated at all.

Ellos son unos chicos muy inteligente - They're (some) very intelligent boys.

Ellas son unas mujeres hermosas - They're (some) beautiful women.

Awesome, I really appreciate the answer, it helps a ton. Thank you! - Codyyoung37, Oct 18, 2009

Great explanation! Thanks! - Alicia-53, Oct 18, 2009

Your welcome....Glad that I could help - Izanoni1, Oct 18, 2009

Answer 2

I'm glad to see some good questions get banged around in here. For me I use unos/unas when I am talking to the busboy about some tables needing cleaning. Favor de limpiar unas mesas. On the other hand, I will alguno when talking about something more abstract. Some people want to be drunks. Algunas personas quieren ser borrachos. I'm not a native though but I do rock so go ahead and vote me up for some points, you know you want to.

Should that be 'estar borracho' ? - Jespa, Oct 18, 2009

depends on if you're like me or not ;) - jeezzle, Oct 18, 2009

Answer 3

Awesome, that helps a ton. I'd love to vote for you, but I don't have the "reputation" to do so. Maybe someone else will see and cast a vote. Thanks!

Answer 4

In both examples alguno was used as a reference to some "people". Is that just coincidence or is there something more to that?

Answer 5

Algunos can be more vague, OR it can be more specific. For example, if you are in class and your teacher says "Almost everyone got a B and a few people got Cs", that would be "Casi todos sacaron una B y algunos sacaron una C"