French word

un

Pronunciation

IPA/œ̃/

Meaning

  • articlea

Example

J'ai un livre.

I have a book.

Illustration for un (a)

More examples

Il y a un enfant dans le parc.

There is a child in the park.

Core concept

One unspecified member entering the scene without being identified.

Common phrases

  • un enfant

    a child

  • un billet

    a ticket

  • un appel

    a call

Similar words

une: A feminine singular indefinite article used before a noun for an unspecified individual.
des: A plural indefinite article used before a noun for unspecified individuals.
la: A feminine singular definite article used before a noun for a specific individual.
les: A plural definite article used before a noun for specific individuals.

Definition in French

S'emploie devant un nom dénombrable masculin pour introduire un élément non identifié ou indifférencié.

Word origin

The French form un comes from Latin unus through regular medieval French development, and its article use grew from the meaning 'one'.

Usage tips

  • French un can be either the numeral 'one' or an indefinite article, so context determines whether an exact count is intended.

Other meanings

  • onenumber

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word