dondequiera

Dwherequiera is a Spanish adverb that means "wherever" or "anywhere." It is a fused form that conveys indefiniteness of location and is most often used to introduce a clause with the particle que, forming the standard construction dondequiera que, which means “no matter where” or “wherever.” In practice, it can function as part of a subordinate clause or, less commonly, as a stand-alone adverbial intensifier.

Etymology and form: Dondequiera is built from donde (where) and quiera (the subjunctive form of querer, “to want”). The combination expresses an indefinite, hypothetical location. The common phrase where where-quieras appears is dondequiera que, followed by a verb in the subjunctive, to indicate any place at which something occurs or is true.

Usage: Dondequiera is widely used in both everyday language and literature to express universality of location or to soften a request or gesture about any place. The most frequent construction is where-quiera que + verb in the subjunctive: Dondequiera que vayas, cuídate. Otros ejemplos: Puedes buscarlo dondequiera que esté; Dondequiera que estés, avísame. It can also appear without que in more condensed forms, functioning as an adverb meaning “anywhere.”

Related terms: It is related to other indefinite relative expressions such as cualquiera (anyone/anything), cualquier lugar (any place), and cualquier sitio (any site). The pair of ideas—indefiniteness and spatial freedom—characterizes wherequiera within Spanish grammar.

See also: where, indefinite pronouns, subjunctive mood in subordinate clauses.