THE INDEFINITE

ARTICLES:UN, UNA, UNO, UN’

Italian 1 Signorina Vitamia

WHAT IS AN INDEFINITE ARTICLE?

• comes before a noun• It refers to one object or person, out of a

group of objects or people. It does not refer to a specific noun.

• The indefinite article is the equivalent to the words “a” or “an” in English.

UN

• UN is the article for masculine nouns.• Examples: • un ragazzo – a boy • un libro – a book • un orologio – a clock

UNA

• UNA is the indefinite article for feminine nouns beginning with a consonant.

• Examples: • una ragazza – a girl • una studentessa – a female student

UN’

• UN’ is the indefinite article for feminine nouns beginning with a vowel.

• Examples: • un’amica – a female friend • un’università – a university

UNO

• UNO is the indefinite article for masculine nouns beginning with s + consonant, z, ps, or gn.

• Examples: • uno studente – a (male) student • uno zaino – a backpack • uno psicologo – a psychologist • uno gnomo – a gnome / leprechaun