quelqu'un
/kɛl.k‿œ̃/
The English phrase "someone" is translated into French as quelqu'un.
quelqu'un is used to refer to an unspecified person, meaning "someone."
Meaning: some person (pron)
Which one should you use?
Use quelqu'un when referring to an unspecified person, but use quelque chose if you are referring to an unspecified thing (something).
How do you pronounce it?
/kɛl.k‿œ̃/
Did you know?
- To say 'no one', French uses personne, which literally means 'person'. Without the negative particle ne, it simply refers to a human being.
- Unlike 'someone' in English, which can sometimes feel quite vague, using quelqu'un in French can sometimes imply a level of mystery or suspicion in literature, such as 'un certain quelqu'un'.
- The word quelqu'un is actually a combination of two separate words, quelque and un, which have fused together over time into a single unit.
Examples in context
- Tom a vu quelqu'un.Tom saw someone.Tatoeba #9463911 by Micsmithel, translation #2237657 by CK
- Quelqu'un a été tué.Someone was killed.Tatoeba #6575400 by GB3, translation #6575385 by Eccles17
- Quelqu'un me l'a dit.Someone told me that.Tatoeba #735401 by U2FS, translation #854278 by princesamee
- Quelqu'un est venu me voir aujourd'hui.Someone came to see me today.
- J'ai rencontré une personne très aimable hier soir.I met a very kind person last night.
- Je pensais que quelqu'un d'autre viendrait avec nous.I thought someone else would come with us.
- 1027 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are talking about a mysterious person in the street.
- NathanIl y a quelqu'un dans la rue.There is someone in the street.
- ChloéTu vois quelqu'un, Nathan ?Do you see someone, Nathan?
- NathanOui, je crois voir quelqu'un.Yes, I think I see someone.
- ChloéC'est peut-être quelqu'un que tu connais.It might be someone you know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “someone” translations and entries quelqu'un, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quelqu'un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
