whoever
word
/huˈɛvɝ/
hoo-EV-ur
/huːˈɛvɐ/
hoo-EV-uh
Definition
Used to mean any person, no matter which person it is. It can also introduce a clause when the person's identity is unknown or unimportant.
Usage & Nuances
Common in careful or formal English, though very common in everyday speech too. Often appears in patterns like 'whoever wants to come', 'give it to whoever answers', and for emphasis in questions like 'Whoever told you that?'. Don't confuse it with 'who's ever', which is different.
Spanish: quienquiera que - cualquiera quePortuguese (BR): quem quer que - qualquer pessoa quePortuguese (PT): quem quer que - qualquer pessoa queChinese (Simplified): 无论谁 - 任何人Chinese (Traditional): 無論誰 - 任何人Hindi: जो कोई भी - चाहे जो व्यक्तिArabic: أيّ شخصٍ - من يكنBengali: যেই কেউ - যে ব্যক্তিRussian: кто бы ни - любой, ктоJapanese: 誰でも - たれでもVietnamese: ai cũng được - bất kỳ aiKorean: 누구든지 - 누가 되었든Turkish: her kimse - kim olursa olsunUrdu: جو کوئی - خواہ کوئیIndonesian: siapa pun - siapa saja
Example Sentences
Whoever finishes first can leave early.
basic
Give the key to whoever is at the front desk.
basic
Whoever called me did not leave a message.
basic
Invite whoever you want — I don't mind.
natural
Whoever told you that was probably joking.
natural
Take whoever needs a ride with you.
natural