Indefinite articles – un, une, des
'A', 'an', and 'some'
The indefinite article means a / an, and in the plural some. Like le/la, it agrees with the noun.
The forms
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| masculine | un chat | des chats |
| feminine | une maison | des maisons |
- J'ai un chien et une tortue.I have a dog and a tortoise.
- Il y a des enfants dans le parc.There are (some) children in the park.
Des: the plural of un/une
English often uses no article at all in the plural, but French needs des:
- J'ai des amis à Paris.I have friends in Paris.
- Elle mange des fraises.She's eating strawberries.
Before a vowel, the s of des links with a z: des‿amis.
Un, une are also "one"
Un/une is also the number one: un café et deux croissants.
When they change
- After a negative, un, une, des become de/d': Je n'ai pas de voiture. See Indefinite articles after negation.
- Before a plural adjective that comes before the noun, des becomes de: de belles maisons. See Adjectives before the noun (BAGS).
- With professions after être, there's no article: Il est médecin. See Zero article with professions.
For uncountable things (some bread, some water), French uses du, de la: see Partitive articles.
Practice
- J'ai _____ frère.Options: un · une · des
Show the answer
un
- C'est _____ belle maison.Options: une · un · des
Show the answer
une
- Il y a _____ livres sur la table.Options: des · un · les
Show the answer
des
- I have cats.Options: J'ai des chats. · J'ai chats. · J'ai un chats.
Show the answer
J'ai des chats. — French needs des where English uses no article.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.