un
Indefinite Article Un (Masculine)
Un is the masculine singular indefinite article. It corresponds to 'a' or 'an' in English and is used to introduce a non-specific person or thing.
How It Works
The word un is one of the most common words in French. It has three main roles:
- Indefinite Article: It introduces a masculine noun that hasn't been mentioned yet. It is part of a set: un (masculine), une (feminine), and des (plural). For example, un livre (a book) refers to any book.
- The Number One: French uses un for both 'a' and 'one'. J'ai un frère can mean 'I have a brother' or 'I have one brother'.
- Phonology (Liaison): When un is followed by a word starting with a vowel or a silent 'h', the 'n' sound links to the next word. The nasal quality of the vowel is maintained. For example, un ami is pronounced [œ̃.n‿a.mi].
Important Note on Negation: In a standard negative sentence, un usually changes to de (Je n'ai pas de chien). However, un does NOT change after the verb être (e.g., Ce n'est pas un chat) or when emphasizing 'not even one' (e.g., Je n'ai pas un sou).
Examples (5)
- C'est un beau cadeau.
It is a beautiful gift.
Word by Word: It is a beautiful gift.
Here, 'un' is used because 'cadeau' (gift) is a masculine singular noun.
- J'ai un frère.
I have a brother / I have one brother.
Word by Word: I have a brother.
This demonstrates how 'un' can mean both 'a' and the number 'one'.
- Il a un ami français.
He has a French friend.
Word by Word: He has a friend French.
Notice the liaison between 'un' and 'ami' because 'ami' starts with a vowel.
- Un café, s'il vous plaît.
A coffee, please.
Word by Word: A coffee, if it you pleases.
A very common way to order a single item in a cafe.
- C'est un homme calme.
He is a calm man.
Word by Word: It is a man calm.
'Un' is used before 'homme' (man). Even though 'homme' starts with 'h', it is silent, so a liaison occurs.
Common Mistakes
Using 'un' for professions after the verb 'être'.
Il est un médecin.Il est médecin.In French, you don't use an article when stating someone's profession directly after 'être' (to be), unless the profession is modified by an adjective.
Forgetting to change 'un' to 'de' in negative sentences (except with 'être').
Je n'ai pas un chat.Je n'ai pas de chat.In most negative sentences, 'un' changes to 'de'. However, it stays 'un' after the verb 'être' (e.g., 'Ce n'est pas un chat') or when you want to emphasize 'not even one' (e.g., 'Je n'ai pas un sou').
Using 'un' with feminine nouns.
Un voiture.Une voiture.'Un' is strictly masculine. For feminine nouns like 'voiture', you must use 'une'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use the indefinite article 'un', you must first understand the concept of grammatical gender, as 'un' is specifically used with masculine nouns.
Related Patterns
- uneIndefinite Article Une (Feminine)
This is the feminine counterpart to 'un'.
Level 1 - des (article indéfini)Indefinite Plural Article Des
This is the plural form of 'un' and 'une', meaning 'some'.
Level 1 - le (article défini)Definite Article Le (Masculine)
While 'un' is for 'a/an' (non-specific), 'le' is for 'the' (specific) masculine nouns.
Level 1 - pas deArticles Become De After Negation
Explains why 'un' changes to 'de' when a sentence is made negative.
Level 1 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
Explains the pronunciation rule where the 'n' in 'un' links to a following vowel.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice un in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes French lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
