irgend
some / any
Used before indefinite pronouns, adverbs, or articles to express indefiniteness, arbitrariness, or indifference.
EXAMPLE
Gib mir einfach irgend ein Buch, es ist egal, welches.
Just give me any book; it doesn't matter which one.
irgend
some / any
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
irgend
somehow
Used colloquially before adjectives or adverbs and means 'irgendwie' (somehow) or 'auf eine nicht näher bestimmte Art' (in a not more specifically defined way).
EXAMPLE
Ich fand sein Verhalten den ganzen Abend über irgend seltsam.
I found his behavior somehow strange the whole evening.
Usage tips
Word family
'Irgend' is a building block for many indefinite pronouns and adverbs. It forms words like 'irgendwer' (someone/anyone), 'irgendwas' (something/anything), 'irgendwo' (somewhere/anywhere), and 'irgendwann' (sometime/at some point).
EXAMPLE
Kann mir irgendwer helfen?
Can anyone help me?
Use with articles
Before an indefinite article ('ein', 'eine', 'einen', etc.), 'irgend' emphasizes arbitrariness. 'Irgendein' means that it completely does not matter which item is meant.
EXAMPLE
Nimm dir einfach irgendeinen Stuhl, es sind noch genug frei.
Just take any chair; there are still enough free.
Colloquial usage
In spoken language, 'irgend' is sometimes used before adjectives and then means 'irgendwie' (somehow) or 'auf eine unbestimmte Weise' (in an indefinite way). This use is very informal.
EXAMPLE
Der Film war ja ganz gut, aber das Ende fand ich irgend komisch.
The film was pretty good, but I found the ending kind of strange.
Compare with
irgend vs etwas
something / somewhat
Etwas and irgend can be combined with an unspecified thing. Etwas sounds neutral and simply leaves the thing open, while irgend, for example in „irgendetwas“, additionally expresses arbitrariness or indifference. Use etwas neutrally and irgend when any thing at all may be meant.
irgend
Nimm irgendetwas aus der Schublade.
Take anything from the drawer.
etwas
Nimm etwas aus der Schublade.
Take something from the drawer.
In real life
Loading video examples...