un
/œ̃/
The English phrase 'a' is translated into French as un.
The word un is used as an indefinite article to mean 'a'. It also functions as the number 'one'.
Which one should you use?
While un means both 'a' and 'one', if you are referring to a feminine noun, you would use une instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form un changes to une when referring to a feminine noun. When you want to express the plural version of 'a', use des.
How do you pronounce it?
/œ̃/
Did you know?
- The word un is used in the expression un pour tous, tous pour un, which is the famous motto 'one for all, all for one' from Alexandre Dumas' novel 'The Three Musketeers'.
- The French word un is a direct descendant of the Latin ūnum, which is the same root that gives us the English word 'unit'.
- When using un as a noun to mean 'a person' or 'a guy', it carries a very informal, slightly slangy tone in certain contexts.
Examples in context
- As-tu un GSM ?Do you have a cellphone?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a un cellphone.Tatoeba #541800 by sacredceltic, translation #535419 by CM
- Il y a un hic.There's a snag.This sentence is useful for stating there is a un snag.Tatoeba #1266925 by Sibelius, translation #1349953 by sacredceltic
- As-tu un reçu ?Have you a receipt?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a un receipt.Tatoeba #397450 by sysko, translation #397449 by sysko
- 14838 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are at a café.
- NathanTu veux un café ?Do you want a coffee?
- LéaOui, j'ai un petit creux.Yes, I am a little hungry.
- NathanJe vais prendre un croissant.I am going to have a croissant.
- LéaC'est une bonne idée.That is a good idea.
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.
