un
a, an
The indefinite article a / an
Encoding Strategies:
repetition
Un is the indefinite article meaning a or an, used when referring to a non-specific or unidentified thing.
un / una
a, an
The basic indefinite article, used before a singular noun that isn't specifically known to the listener.
- Hay un perro en el jardín = There is a dog in the garden
- Tiene una naranja = She has an orange
one (number)
Also means 'one' when counting or emphasizing a single thing.
- Solo quiero un café = I only want one coffee
- Compré una para ti = I bought one for you
unos / unas
some, a few
When there's more than one unspecified thing, there's 'some' or 'a few' of them.
- Compré unos libros en el mercado = I bought some books at the market
- Había unas flores en la mesa = There were a few flowers on the table
about, around (approximate number)
Used before a number to give an approximation. Since 'unos' is inherently indefinite, it blurs the precision of a number the same way it blurs the identity of a thing.
- Tiene unos treinta años = He is about thirty years old
- Cuesta unos cien dólares = It costs around one hundred dollars