qualsiasi cosa
/kwalˈsi.a.si ˈkɔ.za/
The English word 'anything' can be translated into Italian as qualsiasi cosa. Wiktionary also lists qualunque cosa and niente.
Meaning: any thing of any kind (pron)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| qualsiasi cosa | /kwalˈsi.a.si ˈkɔ.za/ /kwalˈsi.as ˈkɔ.sa/ |
| qualunque cosa | /kwaˈlun.kwe ˈkɔ.za/ (word by word) |
| niente | /ˈnjɛn.te/ /ˈɲɛn.te/ (regional) |
Depending on the context, 'anything' can mean 'any thing of any kind'.
Which one should you use?
qualsiasi cosa is used in affirmative sentences to mean 'any thing' or 'whatever thing'. In contrast, niente is used in negative sentences to mean 'nothing' or 'anything'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the idea of 'not anything' in a negative sentence, Italian uses a double negative structure consisting of 'non' + verb + niente.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwalˈsi.a.si ˈkɔ.za/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using a negative sentence to say you do not have 'anything', do not use qualcosa (something). Instead, use niente.
Did you know?
- The Italian word cosa for 'thing' actually comes from the Latin word causa, which meant 'cause' or 'lawsuit'.
- While niente means 'anything' in negative sentences, it is also used as a casual way to say 'it is nothing' or 'you are welcome' when someone says thank you.
Examples in context
- Non mi va niente.I don't feel like anything.Tatoeba #1964180 by Guybrush88, translation #24816 by xrchz
- Io non so niente.I don't know anything.Tatoeba #4204662 by Guybrush88, translation #370605 by saeb
- Io non ho niente.I don't have anything.Tatoeba #4480918 by Guybrush88, translation #2271859 by CK
- 2182 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- FrancescoHai voglia di mangiare qualcosa di specifico?Do you feel like eating something specific?
- ChiaraNo, per me va bene qualsiasi cosa.No, anything is fine with me.
- FrancescoAllora ordiniamo una pizza?Then shall we order a pizza?
- ChiaraSì, va bene!Yes, that works!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “anything” translations and entries qualsiasi cosa, qualunque cosa, niente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (qualunque, cosa) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cosa, niente, qualsiasi, qualunque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
