Qualche Vs. Alcune/i

In the Italian tests I published, I noticed that nearly everyone got one particular question wrong. It’s a relatively simple question, but it clearly highlights how confusing this issue is for learners of Italian as a second language.

I’m referring to the difference between qualche and alcuni (or alcune). Let’s clarify this with a couple of quick and straightforward examples.

Qualche

We use qualche to mean some. It’s an invariable adjective as it always takes the singular even though it expresses a plurality. It doesn’t change for gender, and it’s used with countable nouns.

✅ qualche amico (Correct and it means some friends.)

✅ qualche amica (Correct and it means some female friends.)

❌ qualche amici (Wrong because it takes the singular.)

❌ qualche amiche (Wrong because it takes the singular.)

❌ qualche latte (Wrong because latte is an uncountable noun. Use del latte to mean some milk.)

Alcune/Alcuni

We use alcune and alcuni to mean some as well. It always takes the plural and agrees in gender with the noun. It is also used with countable nouns only.

✅ alcuni amici (Correct and it means some friends.)

✅ alcune amiche (Correct and it means some female friends.)

❌ alcune amici (Wrong because of the gender.)

❌ alcuni amiche (Wrong because of the gender.)

❌ alcune amica (Wrong because it takes the plural.)

❌ alcuni amico (Wrong because it takes the plural.)

❌ alcune acqua (Wrong because acqua is an uncountable noun. Use dell’acqua to mean some water.)

So, what’s the difference?