Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles introduce a non-specific noun and agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. This short guide focuses on the basic forms and uses of un, una, unos, and unas.
Articles
Indefinite articles show that you are talking about something not previously mentioned or not uniquely identified. They must match the noun in gender and number.
| English Word(s) | Spanish Word(s) |
|---|---|
| a / an (masculine singular) | un |
| a / an (feminine singular) | una |
| some (masculine plural) | unos |
| some (feminine plural) | unas |
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Usage
Use un and una for single, non-specific items and unos and unas for vague quantities or when introducing plural examples. Indefinite articles do not normally translate when speaking about professions, nationality, religion, or rank after ser.
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Examples
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🥐 I bought a croissant at the café. | I bought one croissant, not any specific one. |
| ☕ She ordered a cup of coffee. | She ordered one cup, possibly different from others. |
| 🍰 They shared a slice of cake. | They shared one slice, not the whole cake. |
| 🥖 He picked up a baguette from the bakery. | He picked up one baguette, any from the display. |
| 🧀 I tried a cheese from the new stall. | I tried one kind of cheese, not a particular brand. |
Omissions
Do not use an indefinite article when talking about meals, languages, or abstract nouns in a general sense, and omit it after después de, sin, con, and other similar expressions when followed by a noun. Also omit the article before uncountable nouns when you mean the substance in general.
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Summary
Indefinite articles are short markers that signal a non-specific noun and must agree in gender and number. Use un/una for single items and unos/unas for some plural ones, and remember common contexts where the article is omitted.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025