The aim of this post is to introduce the “markers” which indicate that they are indefinite. What matters is being able to recognise these in order to identify them and to give an appropriate translation
“The use of the indefinites is very various, and must be learned from the Lexicon and from practice. The choice among them may depend merely on the point of view of the speaker, so that they are often practically interchangeable.” (Allen and Greenough)
While that comment is true, and translations of them often differ or there are ‘overlaps’ in terms of usage, it is better, at the early stage at least, to keep very specific translations in mind. Therefore, I have dealt with each of them separately.
aliquis: someone (also: quispiam, and quis alone)
quīdam: a certain
quīcumque: whoever
quisque: each (one)
quisquam: anyone
quīvīs / quīlibet: whoever / whatever you please; any one; any thing whatever
