Unos vs. Algunos †Spanish Grammar and Word Usage

When used to mean some, meaning an indefinite number, algunos and unos are usually interchangeable — it doesnt matter which one you use. However, there can be some subtle differences between them. Here is a guide to know where the choice of word might make a difference: Approximations Unos, but not algunos, can be used when making approximations (approximations can be expressed in other ways as well): Tenemos unos mil quinientos discos de mà ºsica clà ¡sica. We have some 1,500 classical music discs. With de The phrase algunos de is far more common than unos de to mean some of: Estos son algunos de los monumentos mà ¡s extravagantes del paà ­s. These are some of the most outlandish monuments in the country.La compaà ±Ãƒ ­a planea pasar algunas de sus tecnologà ­as a cà ³digo abierto. The company is planning to put some of its technologies into open source.Algunos de mis mejores amigos son espaà ±oles. Some of my best friends are Spaniards. In contrast with otros If a sentence is contrasting some with others (otros), either algunos or unos can be used to mean some:  ¿Por quà © unas personas pueden bailar y otras no?  ¿Por quà © algunas personas pueden bailar y otras no? Why can some people dance and others cant?Las emociones son como el mar, unas veces airado, otras veces tranquilo. Las emociones son como el mar, algunas veces airado, otras veces tranquilo. Emotions are like the sea, sometimes angry, sometimes peaceful.Algunos vieron la pelà ­cula, otros no. Unos vieron la pelà ­cula, otros no. Some saw the movie, others didnt. In contrast with none If the emphasis is on some as opposed to none, algunos is more commonly used. The emphasis in such a case isnt so much on number as on existence: Algunos soldados pueden dormir con cualquier ruido de fondo. Some soldiers can sleep through any kind of background noise.Sà © que algunos me comprenden. I know that some people understand me.Algunos creen que son mà ¡s importantes que Dios. Some believe they are more important than God. Sources: As with most lessons on this site, sample sentences are adapted from a variety of sources written by native Spanish speakers. Among the sources consulted for this lesson were: Espacio Latino, Fayerwayer, Foro de Blogger, NIH.gov, Planetanuncios, Tadforo, Yahoo Mà ©xico.