Translation guide
The English word "anyone" can be used in questions, negative statements, and affirmative statements with different nuances. In Japanese, the translation depends on the context: whether it's a question, a negative statement, or an affirmative statement implying "any person at all."
Asking if there is any person who fits a description, without specifying who.
Used in questions to mean 'anyone' or 'someone'. It implies the existence of at least one person.
誰かいますか？
Is anyone there?
誰か手伝ってくれませんか？
Can anyone help me?
Pattern: 誰か + verb/phrase. Used in questions to ask if anyone does something.
誰か来ますか？
Is anyone coming?
Saying that there is no person who does or is something.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'no one' or 'not anyone'. 誰も + negative verb.
Pattern: 誰も + negative verb. Standard way to say 'no one' or 'not anyone'.
誰も来ませんでした。
No one came.
Saying that any person can do something, or it doesn't matter who.
Means 'anyone' in the sense of 'any person at all' or 'whoever'. Used in affirmative statements.
誰でもできます。
Anyone can do it.
誰でも参加できます。
Anyone can participate.
Means 'anyone is fine' or 'it doesn't matter who'.
誰でもいいです。
Anyone is fine.
Expressing 'if anyone' or 'anyone who'.
Used in conditional sentences to mean 'if anyone'. 誰か + conditional form.
誰か来たら教えてください。
If anyone comes, please let me know.
Used for 'anyone who' in a general sense. 誰でも + conditional form.
誰でも努力すれば成功できる。
Anyone can succeed if they try.
Emphasizing that it is not the case that any person can do something; only specific people.
Means 'it's not that anyone can...' or 'not just anyone can...'.
誰でもできるわけではない。
Not just anyone can do it.
Similar nuance, meaning 'not everyone can...'.
誰もが成功するわけではない。
Not everyone succeeds.
誰か (dareka) is for questions and some affirmative statements implying existence. 誰も (daremo) is used with negatives to mean 'no one'. 誰でも (daredemo) means 'anyone' in the sense of 'any person at all' in affirmative statements.
Do not directly translate 'anyone' as 誰か in negative sentences. Use 誰も with a negative verb. For example, 'I didn't see anyone' is 誰も見ませんでした, not 誰か見ませんでした.