unbestimmter Artikel
/ˌʊnbəʃtɪmtɐ aʁˈtiːkl̩/masculine
The English phrase "indefinite article" is unbestimmter Artikel in German.
An indefinite article is a word that precedes a noun to indicate any member of the class of objects.
Meaning: word preceding a noun to indicate any member of the class of objects (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of unbestimmter (indefinite/undetermined) and Artikel (article).
How does it change in a sentence?
unbestimmter Artikel is in the masculine nominative singular form. The phrase changes to unbestimmten Artikel when used in the masculine accusative or dative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌʊnbəʃtɪmtɐ aʁˈtiːkl̩/
Did you know?
- The word Artikel shares a common ancestor with the English word 'articulate', as both stem from the Latin 'articulus' meaning 'a small joint' or 'a part'.
- The German word for 'article' can also refer to a specific item in a shop or a piece of writing in a newspaper, making unbestimmter Artikel a potentially confusing term if used in a retail setting.
- Unlike English, German can omit the unbestimmter Artikel entirely in certain contexts to imply a general category or a profession, such as saying Ich bin Lehrer instead of 'I am a teacher'.
Examples in context
- Ich habe ein Auto.I have a car.
- Er braucht ein Buch.He needs a book.
- Ich trinke ein Bier.I am drinking a beer.
- Sie hat eine Katze.She has a cat.
- Du trägst eine Jacke.You are wearing a jacket.
- Wir essen eine Pizza.We are eating a pizza.
- Das ist ein Haus.That is a house.
- Wir haben ein Kind.We have a child.
- Ich trinke ein Glas Wasser.I am drinking a glass of water.
- Ein unbestimmter Artikel steht vor dem Substantiv.An indefinite article stands before the noun.
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are studying German grammar together.
- LauraWas ist ein unbestimmter Artikel?What is an indefinite article?
- JulianDas ist ein Wort wie 'ein' oder 'eine'.That is a word like 'ein' or 'eine'.
- LauraVerstehe, danke Julian!I see, thanks Julian!
- JulianGern geschehen, Laura.You're welcome, Laura.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “indefinite article” translations and entries unbestimmter Artikel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Artikel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
