Spanish Conversation · Level 1
86 words
Spanish word
un
Pronunciation
IPA/un/
Meaning
- articleone, a
Example
Tengo un libro.
I have one book.
More examples
¿Tienes un momento?
Do you have a moment?
Core concept
Short indefinite article used before masculine singular nouns.
Common phrases
un libro
a book
un amigo
a friend
un momento
a moment
Similar words
el: Masculine singular definite article used before a specific noun.
la: Feminine singular definite article used before a specific noun.
una: Feminine singular indefinite article used before an unspecified noun.
unos: Masculine plural indefinite article used before unspecified plural nouns.
Definition in Spanish
Apócope del número 'uno' que actúa como artículo indefinido delante de sustantivos masculinos singulares para expresar una unidad indeterminada, conservándose ante algunos femeninos por motivos.
Word origin
It comes from Latin unus, with the numeral uno losing its final -o by apocope in pre-nominal position to produce un as the indefinite article.
Usage tips
- It also appears before some feminine nouns that begin with a stressed a (agua, águila, hacha), but the noun remains feminine so adjectives agree in the feminine.