viene alguien
/bjene alɡjen/from spelling rules
The English phrase "someone is coming" can be translated into Spanish as viene alguien.
This phrase is used to announce that a person is approaching the current location.
Which one should you use?
You can use the progressive form está viniendo alguien if you want to place extra emphasis on the fact that the action is currently in progress. Additionally, the phrase viene llegando is used in some contexts to mean "they're arriving."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase viene llegando is used to mean "they're arriving."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word order is inverted from English, placing the verb viene (comes) before the subject alguien (someone).
Did you know?
- The word alguien is likely a hybrid creation that fused the words alguno ('some') and quien ('who') over centuries of use.
- In certain dialects, adding the word ya to the phrase ya viene alguien changes the meaning from a simple observation to a prediction that someone is bound to arrive soon.
- Spanish allows the subject alguien to be placed at the end of the sentence, which can create a sense of suspense or mystery about who is approaching.
Examples in context
- ¡Juan ya viene! No tardará mucho.Juan is coming! He won't be long.
- Susana se acerca, ¿has preparado todo?Susana is getting close, have you prepared everything?
- El Dr. López se aproxima. Por favor, prepárese para recibirlo.Dr. Lopez is approaching. Please, get ready to receive him.
- Nuestro invitado especial está en camino. Será un honor recibirlo.Our special guest is on their way. It will be an honor to receive them.
- ¡Cuidado, viene alguien!Watch out, someone is coming!
- Mira, viene alguien por el pasillo.Look, someone is coming down the hallway.
- ¡Rápido, escóndete, viene alguien!Quick, hide, someone is coming!
- Espera un momento, viene alguien a la puerta.Wait a moment, someone is coming to the door.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are hiding in a room.
- MaríaMateo, escúchame, viene alguien.Mateo, listen to me, someone is coming.
- MateoNo veo a nadie.I don't see anyone.
- MaríaApaga la luz ahora mismo.Turn off the light right now.
- MateoEstá bien, ya lo hice.Okay, I already did it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alguien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
