Indefinite Articles: un, una, unos, unas

Spanish: Los artículos indefinidos: un, una, unos, unas

Level: A1 Beginner

Category: articles

Explanation

Indefinite articles are used to talk about something non-specific or mentioned for the first time. In Spanish there are four forms: "un" (masculine singular), "una" (feminine singular), "unos" (masculine plural), and "unas" (feminine plural). They are the equivalent of "a/an" and "some" in English. The article always agrees in gender and number with the noun it accompanies. For example, we say "un café" (masculine) but "una mesa" (feminine). For the plural we use "unos" and "unas", which mean "some" or "a few". We use indefinite articles when we introduce something new into the conversation: "Quiero un café, por favor" (I want a coffee, please). Once the object is already known, we usually switch to the definite article: "El café está caliente" (The coffee is hot). In the plural, "unos" and "unas" can also indicate an approximate quantity: "Hay unas diez personas en la cafetería" (There are about ten people in the café).

Examples

• Quiero un café, por favor. - I want a coffee, please.
• Necesito una habitación para dos noches. - I need a room for two nights.
• Voy a comprar unas manzanas. - I am going to buy some apples.
• Quisiera unos tomates, por favor. - I would like some tomatoes, please.
• Hay un museo muy famoso cerca de aquí. - There is a very famous museum near here.