---
title: "Irgend Compounds and Indefinite Reference — German grammar C1"
description: "Distinguish unknown reference from free choice and decline person, article, and plural forms."
canonical: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-irgend-compounds-and-indefinite-reference"
lang: "en"
learning_language: "de"
cefr_level: "C1"
updated: "2026-07-11"
alternates:
  en: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-irgend-compounds-and-indefinite-reference.md"
  fr: "https://cefra.app/fr/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-irgend-compounds-and-indefinite-reference.md"
  pl: "https://cefra.app/pl/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-irgend-compounds-and-indefinite-reference.md"
  ru: "https://cefra.app/ru/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-irgend-compounds-and-indefinite-reference.md"
---

# Irgend Compounds and Indefinite Reference

[Cefra](https://cefra.app/en.md) › [German](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de.md) › [Grammar](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar.md) › [C1](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1.md) › Irgend Compounds and Indefinite Reference

Distinguish unknown reference from free choice and decline person, article, and plural forms.

Last updated: July 11, 2026

Irgend- combines with question words, indefinite pronouns, and the indefinite article.

- irgendjemand/irgendwer: unknown person
- irgendeiner/-e/-s: declined person/one
- irgendetwas/irgendwas: unknown thing
- irgendein Mann/Kind, irgendeine Frau
- irgendwelche Leute: plural
- irgendwann: unknown time
- irgendwo: unknown place
- irgendwohin: unknown destination
- irgendwoher: unknown origin
- irgendwie: unknown manner
- free choice: Nimm irgendeinen Stift.
- unknown reference: Irgendjemand hat angerufen.
- Dativ: mit irgendeinem Gast
- Genitiv: irgendeines unbekannten Mannes

**Irgend-** can mark unknown reference or emphasize free choice. Case endings remain obligatory with _irgendein/irgendwelch-_; _irgendjemand_ may be declined, while _irgendwer/einer_ must be. In neutral prose, _irgendwas/irgendwer_ are more colloquial. Position follows the constituent: **Irgendwann kommt er**, **Er kommt irgendwann**, but **irgendwie komisch** before an adjective.

## Exercises

[Start practice](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-irgend-compounds-and-indefinite-reference/practice)

1. Sort the words into groups (1 task)
2. Build the sentence (10 tasks)