un
/œ̃/
The English phrase "a" is translated into French as un.
un is used to mean "a". In certain contexts, it can also function as a partitive article meaning "some" or "a certain".
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, you must choose between un and une based on the grammatical gender of the noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form un changes to une when the noun it modifies is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/œ̃/
Did you know?
- Certain French nouns change meaning entirely depending on whether you use un or une, such as un tour meaning 'a turn' and une tour meaning 'a tower'.
- The word un is a direct descendant of the Latin 'ūnum', which is the root of the English word 'unit'.
- In fast-paced spoken French, the word un is often clipped so short that it sounds more like a nasal grunt than a full syllable.
Examples in context
- As-tu un GSM ?Do you have a cellphone?This sentence shows how to use un when asking about a cellphone.Tatoeba #541800 by sacredceltic, translation #535419 by CM
- Il y a un hic.There's a snag.This sentence uses un to describe a snag.Tatoeba #1266925 by Sibelius, translation #1349953 by sacredceltic
- As-tu un reçu ?Have you a receipt?This sentence uses un when asking for a receipt.Tatoeba #397450 by sysko, translation #397449 by sysko
- Je suis professeur.I am a teacher.
- 14838 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small bakery in the morning.
- NathanJe voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaît.I would like a croissant, please.
- ChloéBien sûr, monsieur.Of course, sir.
- NathanEst-ce que vous avez un café aussi ?Do you have a coffee as well?
- ChloéOui, un café tout chaud.Yes, a very hot coffee.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry un, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
