un
/un/
The English phrase 'a' is translated into Spanish as un.
un is an indefinite article used before a singular noun that begins with a consonant sound. As a preposition, 'a' is used to indicate motion or direction to a specific person or place.
Which one should you use?
You must choose between un and una based on the grammatical gender of the noun, not the gender of the person or object being described.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form un changes to una when used with a feminine singular noun. The plural forms of un are unos for masculine nouns and unas for feminine nouns, which often translate to 'some' in English.
How do you pronounce it?
/un/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to change the article to match the gender of the noun, such as saying un mesa instead of una mesa.
Did you know?
- While un means 'a' or 'an', it is frequently omitted entirely in Spanish when talking about professions. A person says soy profesor rather than soy un profesor.
- In Spanish, the preposition a is used before a person who is the direct object of a sentence, known as the 'personal a'. For example, you would say veo a Juan instead of just veo Juan.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, using the plural forms unos or unas can function as a way to express 'approximately' or 'about' when discussing numbers.
Examples in context
- No es un pez.It's not a fish.This sentence demonstrates the use of un to negate a noun.Tatoeba #1513877 by marcelostockle, translation #1513673 by CM
- Le di un mapa.I handed him a map.This sentence shows the use of un when giving an object.Tatoeba #974652 by Shishir, translation #974580 by slivercat
- Yo vi un OVNI.I saw a UFO.This sentence shows the use of un when identifying an object.Tatoeba #1325983 by hayastan, translation #1322952 by CK
- Ella fue a la tiendaShe went to the store.
- Voy a la bibliotecaI am going to the library.
- Le di el regalo a mi madreI gave the gift to my mother.
- ¿Podrías decirme a qué hora llegas?Could you tell me what time you arrive?
- Me voy pa casaI'm going home.
- Voy a ver a mis amigosI'm going to see my friends.
- Le di el libro a JuanI gave the book to Juan.
- Te dije la verdadI told you the truth.
- 15276 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are discussing a gift for a friend.
- AlejandrounNecesito comprar un regalo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry un, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
