4. INDEFINITE ARTICLES: UN, UNA, UNOS, UNAS
WHAT ARE THEY?
- Indefinite articles are equivalent to a / an and some in English.
|
Tengo una amiga chilena.
I have a Chilean friend.
|
Tengo unos amigos chilenos.
I have some Chilean friends.
|
WHAT FORMS DO THEY HAVE?
- In Spanish, there are four forms: un, una, unos, unas. Indefinite articles agree in gender and number with the nouns that follow.
| |
SINGULAR |
PLURAL |
| MASCULINE |
un amigo |
unos amigos |
| FEMININE |
una amiga |
unas amigas |
WHEN DO WE USE THEM?
- Like in English, indefinite articles are used to refer to non-specific items or people, or when we mention something for the first time.
In Spanish, we do not use the indefinite article when referring to occupations and nationalities.
Ricky Martin es cantante. Ricky Martin is a singer.
Ricky Martin es puertorriqueño. Ricky Martin is Puerto Rican.
But we do use them when we give both pieces of information.
Ricky Martin es un cantante puertorriqueño. Ricky Martin is a Puerto Rican singer.