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 jardínThere is a dog in the garden
Tiene una naranjaShe has an orange
one (number)
Also means 'one' when counting or emphasizing a single thing.
Solo quiero un caféI only want one coffee
Compré una para tiI 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 mercadoI bought some books at the market
Había unas flores en la mesaThere 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 añosHe is about thirty years old
Cuesta unos cien dólaresIt costs around one hundred dollars