um/uma/uns/umas
Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles (um, uma, uns, umas) are used to talk about things in a general or non-specific way. They must match the gender and number of the noun they describe.
How It Works
Indefinite articles serve several key purposes in Portuguese:
- Introducing New Information: Use them when mentioning something for the first time.
- Quantity: Um/Uma also means the number 'one'.
- Some/A Few: In the plural, uns/umas means 'some' or 'a few' (e.g., 'uns amigos' - some friends).
- Approximation: Before a number, the plural forms mean 'about' or 'roughly'.
- Emphasis: They add emotional weight to descriptions (e.g., 'Ele é um gênio!').
Omissions:
Unlike English, Portuguese omits the article in these cases:
1. Before professions/religions (e.g., 'Sou médico').
2. Before the words outro (another) and certo (a certain).
3. In exclamations starting with Que (e.g., 'Que pena!' - What a pity!).
Contractions & Regional Differences:
Articles often merge with prepositions. For example, em + um becomes num, and de + um becomes dum. While these are standard in European Portuguese, in formal Brazilian writing, the uncontracted forms (em um, de uma) are often preferred.
Examples (6)
- Eu comprei um livro.
I bought a book.
Word by Word: I bought a book.
'Um' is used because 'livro' is a masculine singular noun.
- Ela viu uma gata na rua.
She saw a (female) cat on the street.
Word by Word: She saw a cat on the street.
'Uma' is used because 'gata' is a feminine singular noun.
- O filme dura umas duas horas.
The movie lasts about two hours.
Word by Word: The movie lasts some two hours.
Here, 'umas' indicates an approximate amount ('about' or 'roughly').
- Ele é um gênio!
He is a genius!
Word by Word: He is a genius!
The indefinite article is used here to add emotional weight or emphasis to the description.
- Eu tenho um irmão e duas irmãs.
I have one brother and two sisters.
Word by Word: I have one brother and two sisters.
'Um' also functions as the numeral 'one'.
- Eu quero outro café.
I want another coffee.
Word by Word: I want other coffee.
In Portuguese, the indefinite article is omitted before 'outro' (another/other).
Common Mistakes
Using the article with unmodified professions.
Eu sou um professor.Eu sou professor.In Portuguese, you don't use 'um/uma' for professions unless you are describing the person with an adjective (e.g., 'Eu sou um professor dedicado').
Using 'uns/umas' for uncountable nouns like 'water' or 'money'.
Eu quero uns dinheiros.Eu quero um pouco de dinheiro.'Uns/umas' is only for countable plural items. For uncountable things, use 'um pouco de' (a little bit of) or just the noun.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- o/a/os/asDefinite Articles
Definite articles are the counterpart to indefinite articles, used for specific or previously mentioned items.
Foundations - -o/-aNoun Gender Markers
Understanding noun gender is essential to choosing the correct form (um vs. uma).
Foundations - num/numa/nuns/numasContraction Num
These contractions are standard in European Portuguese and common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Level 2 - dum/duma/duns/dumasContraction Dum
These contractions of 'de' + indefinite article are standard in PT-PT but often avoided in formal written PT-BR.
Level 3 - ser + Profession/Nationality/OriginSer for Identity
Explains why the indefinite article is usually omitted when stating your job or nationality.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice um/uma/uns/umas in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Portuguese lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
