alcuni
/alˈku.ni/
In Italian, 'some' is expressed as alcuni.
The word is used to refer to certain, unspecified or unknown.
Meaning: certain, unspecified or unknown (det)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes to match the gender and number of the noun it modifies. Use alcuni for masculine plural nouns and alcune for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. It is pronounced /alˈku.ni/.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'some' can be used for uncountable nouns like 'some water', alcuni is strictly used for countable items that can be pluralized.
- Italian speakers often replace alcuni with the partitive article, such as dei or delle, in casual conversation to mean 'some' or 'any'.
- If you want to say 'some people', you can say alcune persone, but in many regions, people colloquially use the singular qualche persona to mean the exact same thing.
Examples in context
- Io leggo alcuni libri.I read some books.This sentence shows how to use alcuni with a noun.Tatoeba #1509962 by Guybrush88, translation #1509865 by Shadd
- Piove in alcuni posti.It rains in some places.This sentence demonstrates the use of alcuni when referring to locations.Tatoeba #1578325 by Guybrush88, translation #38038 by cromwellt
- Alcuni sono più scuri.Some are darker.This sentence shows alcuni being used as a pronoun.Tatoeba #10915047 by Guybrush88, translation #10912767 by CM
- Ecco alcuni libri interessanti.Here are some interesting books.
- Ho qualche domanda sulla presentazione.I have some questions about the presentation.
- Vorrei un po' di pane, per favore.I would like some bread, please.
- Hai un po' di tempo per parlare?Do you have some time to talk?
- Dobbiamo aspettare un po' più a lungo.We have to wait a bit longer.
- 458 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are discussing a group of friends at a party.
- SofiaAlcuni amici sono già arrivati.Some friends have already arrived.
- FrancescoDavvero? Non li ho visti.Really? I haven't seen them.
- SofiaSono in cucina con altri ospiti.They are in the kitchen with other guests.
- FrancescoVado subito a salutarli, Sofia.I'll go greet them right away, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry alcuni, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
