ān
The English phrase 'a' is translated into Old English as ān.
The word ān serves as the indefinite article used before a singular noun to refer to a person or thing that has not been previously mentioned. It can also function as the number 'one' when you are counting or want to emphasize a specific quantity.
Which one should you use?
While ān is used as the indefinite article 'a', it is also used to mean the number 'one'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike Modern English, the Old English ān does not change its form based on whether the following noun starts with a vowel or a consonant.
Did you know?
- The word ān is a cognate of the Latin word unus, which is where English gets words like 'unit' and 'unique'.
- Unlike Modern English, ān would change its ending to ānum or āne depending on the grammatical case of the noun it described.
- The word 'any' traces its roots back to the Old English 'ān', evolving from the concept of 'one' into a word denoting any single thing.
Examples in context
- Iċ sēċe ān wǣpen.I'm looking for a weapon.This sentence shows how to use ān to refer to a weapon.Tatoeba #13903305 by rul, translation #8365799 by shekitten
- Ān wyrġ myġġ mē bāt!A damn mosquito bit me!This sentence shows how to use ān to express frustration with a mosquito.Tatoeba #13905183 by rul, translation #12244818 by Miktsoanit
- Uranus is ān planēta.Uranus is a planet.This sentence shows how to use ān when identifying a planet.Tatoeba #8736725 by shekitten, translation #7435371 by shekitten
- Ān bocA book
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mildryth and Godric are discussing what to bring for a meal.
- MildrythHæfst þū hlāf?Do you have a loaf?
- GodricNese, ac iċ hæbbe ǣnne æppel.No, but I have an apple.
- MildrythIċ þearf seax for þǣm æppele.I need a knife for the apple.
- GodricHēr is ān seax, Mildryth.Here is a knife, Mildryth.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
