ein/eine

Indefinite Article

Level 1

German uses ein (masculine/neuter) and eine (feminine) to introduce new or general singular nouns. Unlike English, there is no plural indefinite article; you simply use the noun alone.

How It Works

The indefinite article (unbestimmter Artikel) is used when you are talking about something for the first time or referring to any member of a group (e.g., 'a chair' vs. 'the chair').

1. Gender Agreement
Every German noun has a gender. You must choose the article that matches: ein for masculine and neuter nouns, and eine for feminine nouns. This is a fundamental part of noun gender.

2. The Zero Article
German often drops the article entirely for professions, nationalities, or religions when using the verb sein (to be). For example: Ich bin Lehrer (I am a teacher). However, if you add an adjective, the article returns: Ich bin ein guter Lehrer.

3. Plurals
There is no plural form of 'ein'. To say 'dogs' (plural of 'a dog'), you just say Hunde. This is often called the 'zero article'.

4. Negation
To say 'not a' or 'none', German uses the negative article kein instead of 'nicht ein'.

Examples (5)

  1. Ein Hund läuft im Park.

    A dog is running in the park.

    Word by Word: A dog runs in the park.

    'Hund' is masculine, so we use 'ein'.

  2. Dort steht eine Frau.

    A woman is standing there.

    Word by Word: There stands a woman.

    'Frau' is feminine, so we use 'eine'.

  3. Das ist ein Haus.

    That is a house.

    Word by Word: That is a house.

    'Haus' is neuter, so we use 'ein'.

  4. Ich bin Arzt.

    I am a doctor.

    Word by Word: I am doctor.

    When stating a profession, German usually omits the indefinite article.

  5. Ich sehe Autos.

    I see cars.

    Word by Word: I see cars.

    Since there is no plural indefinite article, the noun 'Autos' stands alone.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'eins' (the number one) as an article.

    Ich habe eins Katze.
    Ich habe eine Katze.

    'Eins' is only used for counting (1, 2, 3). When it comes before a noun, it must decline as 'ein' or 'eine'.

  • Using 'ein' for feminine nouns.

    Das ist ein Lampe.
    Das ist eine Lampe.

    Feminine nouns always require the 'e' ending in the nominative case.

  • Trying to use 'ein' in the plural.

    Ich habe eine Bücher.
    Ich habe Bücher.

    German has no plural indefinite article. Simply use the plural noun without an article.

How It Connects

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ein/eineLevel 1Indefinite Article

Learn This First

To use the indefinite article correctly, you must first understand that every German noun has a specific gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter), as this determines which form of the article to use.

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