← Spanish (Spain)
Spanish (Spain) • Level 0 • GRAMMAR

un/una

💡 Grammar Rule

Spanish Indefinite Articles

In Spanish, indefinite articles function similarly to the English words a, an, or some. They are used to identify a non-specific member of a group (referring to "a book" rather than "the book").

Unlike English, Spanish articles must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify.

1. Singular Forms (Equivalent to "a" or "an")

In the singular form, the article indicates a single item.

  • Un: Used with masculine nouns.
    Un abrigo (A coat)
  • Una: Used with feminine nouns.
    Una pera (A pear)
Exception: Feminine nouns starting with a stressed "a-" or "ha-"

To avoid a clash of sounds, singular feminine nouns that begin with a stressed a- or ha- (including words starting with á-) take the masculine article un instead of una. However, the noun remains feminine, so its plural form uses unas.

  • Un águila (An eagle) → Unas águilas (Some eagles)
  • Un aula (A classroom) → Unas aulas (Some classrooms)

2. Plural Forms (Equivalent to "some" or "a few")

In the plural form, the articles generally translate to "some" or "a few."

  • Unos: Used with masculine plural nouns.
    Unos sobres (Some envelopes)
  • Unas: Used with feminine plural nouns.
    Unas canciones (Some songs)
What is this?
¿Qué es esto?
It is a book.
Es un libro.
Do you have a table?
¿Tienes una mesa?
Yes, a large table.
Sí, una mesa grande.
He buys some pencils.
Él compra unos lápices.
For school?
¿Para el colegio?
She wants a skirt.
Ella quiere una falda.
A red skirt?
¿Una falda roja?
We see some birds.
Vemos unos pájaros.
Where are they?
¿Dónde están?
Do you need a car?
¿Necesitas un coche?
Yes, a fast car.
Sí, un coche rápido.
They live in a house.
Ellas viven en una casa.
Is it a nice house?
¿Es una casa bonita?
Is he a student?
¿Es él un estudiante?
No, he is a teacher.
No, es un profesor.
I want some apples.
Quiero unas manzanas.
Here are some apples.
Aquí hay unas manzanas.
Is it a problem?
¿Es un problema?
It is a small problem.
Es un problema pequeño.
Do you guys have a dog?
¿Tenéis un perro?
We have a cat.
Tenemos un gato.
Look, a flower.
Mira, una flor.
It is a rose.
Es una rosa.
I need a computer.
Necesito un ordenador.
A laptop?
¿Un portátil?
They read some letters.
Ellos leen unas cartas.
From whom?
¿De quién?
Do you want a juice?
¿Quieres un zumo?
Yes, an orange juice.
Sí, un zumo de naranja.
She is a doctor.
Ella es una médica.
And he is a nurse.
Y él es un enfermero.
Are there some chairs?
¿Hay unas sillas?
Yes, there are some chairs here.
Sí, hay unas sillas aquí.
Is it a photograph?
¿Es una fotografía?
Yes, a photo of Madrid.
Sí, una foto de Madrid.
You are writing a message.
Usted escribe un mensaje.
Yes, a long message.
Sí, un mensaje largo.
I am buying some pants.
Compro unos pantalones.
They are very modern.
Son muy modernos.
Do you have a bicycle?
¿Tienes una bicicleta?
No, I have a motorcycle.
No, tengo una moto.
He eats a sandwich.
Él come un bocadillo.
Is it good?
¿Está bueno?
We need a room.
Necesitamos una habitación.
A double room?
¿Una habitación doble?
There is a park nearby.
Hay un parque cerca.
It is a beautiful park.
Es un parque bonito.
Do you want a beer?
¿Quieres una cerveza?
No, a water, please.
No, un agua, por favor.

Ready to reach fluency in Spanish (Spain)? Download drillify for Android. Master the language with rigorous audio drills and unlock all lessons.

Download drillify
Open Play Store