A/An (Un, Una)
Use un and una (indefinite articles). Understand when to use definite vs. indefinite articles.
A lesson of Spanish A1 — Beginner, in Gender & Articles, about 10 minutes.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use indefinite articles correctly and know when Spanish drops "a/an" where English keeps it.
The Indefinite Articles
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | un | unos |
| Feminine | una | unas |
un/una = a/an (one unspecified thing) unos/unas = some (plural — English has no exact equivalent for this)
Examples
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| un libro (a book) | unos libros (some books) |
| una mesa (a table) | unas mesas (some tables) |
| un estudiante (a student, m.) | unos estudiantes (some students) |
| una estudiante (a student, f.) | unas estudiantes (some students) |
Definite vs. Indefinite: When to Use Which
El/La (the) = a specific, known thing
- Pásame el libro. — Pass me the book. (a specific book, both of us know which one)
Un/Una (a) = any unspecified one
- Quiero un libro. — I want a book. (any book)
Think of it as: "the" = specific reference; "a/an" = first introduction
When Spanish Drops the Indefinite Article
Spanish OMITS the indefinite article in contexts where English keeps it:
After ser with occupations:
- Soy médico. — I am a doctor. (not un médico)
- Es profesora. — She is a teacher.
But with an adjective, the article returns:
- Soy un buen médico. — I am a good doctor.
After certain expressions:
- ¿Tienes coche? — Do you have a car? (not in casual speech)