Cualquier Vs cualquiera

[fglorca]

What is the difference between 'cualquier' and 'cualquiera'?

Do both mean 'any'? Is it possible that 'cualquier' is used with a noun and 'cualquiera' doesn't take a noun?

Many thanks in advance.

[Rusty]

Cualquier is the apocopated form of the adjective cualquiera. It is used when the adjective proceeds the noun. Cualquiera is used when the adjective follows the noun.

When it precedes the noun, cualquier means 'any'. After the noun, cualquiera means 'ordinary' or 'unremarkable' ('any old').

The adjective always modifies a noun.


The pronoun cualquiera means 'anyone/anybody'.


The noun cualquiera is used in a disparaging way and means 'a woman like that'.

[Roxerz]

Can you give an example of how to use it?
Whenever someone asks me something like what do you want to eat or what movie do you want to see, I answer, "Cualquier cosa quieres/as" (not sure if it should be subjunctive) Whatever/anything you want
I generally hear "lo que quieres" used a lot here in Mexico, I assume that's another way of saying it but within context?

Would that be a correct way of saying it? I never used cualquiera but from my understanding after reading your post, I would use it like, 'No es una cosa cualquiera' It's not an ordinary thing

[Rusty]

Cualquier cosa que quieras. = Any thing you want.
(Some will omit the conjunction. The subjunctive must be used. 'Any thing' (adjective + noun) is the correct translation. 'Anything' is a pronoun; it's translation is 'cualquiera' and you would not say 'cosa'.)

In the sentence above, the apocopated form is used because the adjective preceded the noun it modifies.

No es una cosa cualquiera. = It's not just any old thing. ("It's not something ordinary," in addition to what you wrote.)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I generally hear "lo que quieres" used a lot here in Mexico, I assume that's another way of saying it but within context?


Sorry, but as Rusty pointed out, what you hear is "lo que quieras". ("Whatever you want.")

You could also say "cualquier cosa". ("Anything.")


—¿Qué película quieres ver?
—La que sea. / La que quieras. / Cualquiera.

—¿Qué quieres ver?
—Lo que sea. / Lo que quieras. / Cualquier cosa.

—¿Qué refresco quieres?
—El que sea. / El que quieras. / Cualquiera.

—¿Qué se te antoja comer?
—Lo que sea. / Lo que quieras. / Cualquier cosa.


I think some more examples on the use of cualquier/cualquiera won't harm:

- La puerta estaba abierta; cualquiera pudo haberse robado la bicicleta.
The door was open; anyone could have stolen the bicycle.

- La puerta estaba abierta; cualquier persona pudo haberse robado la bici.
The door was open; any person could have stolen the bike.


- No quiero nada refinado, sólo quiero un café cualquiera.
I don't want anything fancy, I just want a plain coffee.

- Cualquier café me gusta, siempre que no tenga leche.
I like any coffee, as long as it doesn't contain milk.


- Cualquiera que sea el pretexto, no quiero oírlo.
Whatever the pretext is, I don't want to hear it.

- Siempre inventas cualquier pretexto para no ayudar en la casa.
You always make any excuse to avoid helping at home.

[Roxerz]

Sorry, but as Rusty pointed out, what you hear is "lo que quieras". ("Whatever you want.")

You could also say "cualquier cosa". ("Anything.")


—¿Qué película quieres ver?
—La que sea. / La que quieras. / Cualquiera.

—¿Qué quieres ver?
—Lo que sea. / Lo que quieras. / Cualquier cosa.

Thank both of you for clarifying these two words. Those examples make things clearer. This is a bit off topic but referring to the 1s and 2nd example, how come the 2nd is masculine "lo"? I am not good with in/direct object pronouns with the use of "+que"

So the first example, it's clear that una película is in question.
The second example, I guess it could be in any context such as a show, etc., but una película could be an option also. If it's not specified literally or pointed at, do we automatically use the masculine form?

The reason I ask this is because anytime I see the word Pasar with direct object pronoun, it seems to always be Pasala or Pasarla.

For example, have a good time. Pasala bien.. I was told that the "la" comes from "la situación" but as an English speaker, I would think "time" thus "el tiempo, rato"

[Rusty]

'La' is used because of the gender of the object.
'Lo', the neuter pronoun, is used when the object is not known, when it is an infinitive or when referring to an idea.

Pasarlo bien is used in Spain.
Pasarla bien is used in Latin America.

Both are idioms. They both mean "Have a good time." You should not try to attach meaning to the individual components.