indefinite article

The Portuguese Indefinite Article: Forms and Usage

In Brazilian Portuguese, the indefinite article changes to agree with the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the noun it modifies.

1. Forms of the Indefinite Article

• um (a/an - masculine singular): um livro (a book)
• uma (a/an - feminine singular): uma xícara (a cup)
• uns (some - masculine plural): uns livros (some books)
• umas (some - feminine plural): umas xícaras (some cups)

2. When to Omit the Indefinite Article

Portuguese often drops the indefinite article in contexts where English requires it. You should omit the article in the following situations:

• Professions, nationalities, or religions (after the verb ser): Ela é médica. (She is a doctor.) / Sou budista. (I am a Buddhist.)
• After verbs meaning "to become" (such as tornar-se or virar): A casa virou museu. (The house became a museum.)
• After como (when it means "as"): Como advogado, não posso comentar. (As a lawyer, I cannot comment.)
• Before generic direct objects: Não tenho carro. (I don't have a car.)
• After prepositions indicating characteristics (like de or sem): Saí sem guarda-chuva. (I left without an umbrella.)
• In appositional phrases (phrases that rename a noun): Bebeto, antigo jogador da seleção. (Bebeto, a former national team player.)

3. When to Use the Indefinite Article (Unlike English)

Conversely, Portuguese uses the indefinite article in situations where English usually does not:

• Before abstract nouns modified by an adjective: O filme é de uma beleza arrebatadora. (The movie is of breathtaking beauty.)
• To denote a specific instance of an abstract concept: Acabei dizendo uma besteira. (I ended up saying nonsense.)
• Colloquially before traditionally uncountable nouns (to indicate a portion or "some"): Meu pai me deu um dinheiro. (My dad gave me some money.) / Comi uma carne e um arroz branco. (I ate some meat and white rice.)