Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| wer | /veːr/ | colloquial |
| irgendjemand | /ˈɪʁɡn̩tˈjeːmant/ | |
| irgendwer |
In German, you can express the concept of "anyone" using several different forms depending on the level of precision and the context of your sentence. You can also use the phrase Wer auch immer to mean "whoever" when referring to anyone.
What does it mean word for word?
The word irgendjemand is composed of the prefix irgend- (some/any) and jemand (someone).
Which one should you use?
While wer is often used as a relative pronoun meaning "who", irgendjemand is the more precise way to express the indefinite pronoun "anybody" in a statement.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
wer is a colloquial, shortened version of wer auch immer or is used as shorthand for irgendwer. For a more formal tone, the term Jedermann can be used, which is often found in legal or official contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Germany, the word irgendwer may be preferred over irgendjemand during informal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form wer changes depending on its role in a sentence: it becomes wen when it is the direct object (accusative) and wem when it is the indirect object (dative).
How do you pronounce it?
/veːr/
Did you know?
- The word wer shares a common ancestral root with the English word 'who', both descending from the Proto-West Germanic *hwaʀ.
- The prefix irgend- in irgendjemand acts as a 'vagueness marker' that can be attached to many other words to express a sense of 'any' or 'some'.
- In older German literature, you might see jemand used without the prefix irgend- to mean 'anyone' in a negative sentence, whereas modern speakers prefer the prefix for emphasis.
Examples in context
- Weiß jemand, wer das ist?Does anyone know who that is?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of wer to ask who someone is.Tatoeba #8289473 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8964499 by sundown
- Jeder kann berühmt werden.Anyone can become famous.This sentence demonstrates the use of wer in a general statement.Tatoeba #13397375 by Waldelfe, translation #8034446 by CK
- Ich werd's niemandem sagen.I won't tell anyone.This sentence shows how to use wer in a negative context.Tatoeba #2170040 by Vortarulo, translation #1527937 by Spamster
- Jeder kann an dem Seminar teilnehmen.Anyone can participate in the seminar.
- Kann mir jemand bei den technischen Problemen helfen?Can anyone help me with the technical problems?
- Jedermann hat das Recht auf Meinungsfreiheit.Everyone has the right to freedom of speech.
- Will irgendjemand mit mir ins Kino gehen?Does anyone want to go to the cinema with me?
- Wer auch immer das Buch liest, wird begeistert sein.Whoever reads the book will be thrilled.
- 149 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are at a party and notice a missing item.
- SarahWer hat mein Handy genommen?Who took my phone?
- JulianIch weiß nicht, wer das war.I don't know who it was.
- SarahHat wer etwas gesehen?Did anyone see anything?
- JulianNein, hier hat keiner was gesehen.No, nobody here saw anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “anyone” translations and entries wer, irgendjemand, irgendwer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries irgendjemand, irgendwer, wer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
