un
/oon/
Here, 'un' points out one non-specific thing, just like 'a' or 'an' in English. This is 'un libro' (a book).
un (Article)
📝 In Action
Tengo un perro.
A1I have a dog.
Necesito un bolígrafo nuevo.
A1I need a new pen.
Era un día soleado y perfecto.
A2It was a sunny and perfect day.
💡 Grammar Points
Your Go-To Word for 'A' or 'An'
Think of 'un' as the Spanish version of 'a' or 'an'. You use it to introduce a single, masculine thing that hasn't been mentioned before.
Choosing 'Un' vs. 'Una'
'Un' is the partner for masculine words (like 'un libro' for a book). For feminine words, you'll use its partner, 'una' (like 'una casa' for a house).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to Match
Mistake: "Quiero un manzana."
Correction: Quiero una manzana. 'Manzana' (apple) is a feminine word, so it needs the feminine partner 'una', not 'un'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Introducing Something New
Use 'un' or 'una' when you mention something for the first time. For example: 'Vi un pájaro en el árbol.' (I saw a bird in the tree). After that, you'd probably switch to 'el pájaro' (the bird).
When you're counting masculine things, 'un' means the number 'one'. This image shows 'un dedo' (one finger).
un (Numeral)
📝 In Action
Solo quiero un taco, por favor.
A1I only want one taco, please.
Queda un asiento libre.
A2There is one free seat left.
Contamos: un, dos, tres...
A1We count: one, two, three...
💡 Grammar Points
The Short Form of 'Uno'
When the number 'uno' (one) comes right before a masculine word, it drops the '-o' and becomes 'un'. You say 'un gato' (one cat), not 'uno gato'.
Counting vs. Introducing
Sometimes 'un' can mean 'a' or 'one', and the meaning depends on the situation. 'Tengo un hermano' could mean 'I have a brother' or 'I have one brother'. Usually, the context makes it clear!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Uno' Before a Noun
Mistake: "Tengo uno libro."
Correction: Tengo un libro. When 'one' is describing a masculine noun, it always shortens from 'uno' to 'un'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Emphasizing 'Just One'
To make it extra clear you mean the number 'one' and not just 'a', you can add words like 'solo' or 'solamente'. For example, 'Quiero solo un café' means 'I want just one coffee'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: un
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you use 'un' before some feminine words like 'agua' (water)?
Great question! This is a special rule to make pronunciation smoother. Feminine words that start with a stressed 'a' sound, like 'agua' or 'águila' (eagle), use 'un' in the singular to avoid the 'a-a' sound clash of 'una agua'. It's still a feminine word, so in the plural, it goes back to normal: 'unas aguas'.
What's the difference between 'un' and 'uno'?
Think of 'uno' as the full name for the number 'one'. You use it when you're just counting ('uno, dos, tres...') or when it's not directly in front of a masculine noun. 'Un' is the shortened version you must use when it comes right before a masculine noun, like 'un coche' (one car).
Is 'un' ever used for plural things?
No, 'un' is strictly for one, single, masculine thing. For multiple masculine things, you'd use its plural partner, 'unos', which means 'some' or 'a few' (e.g., 'unos libros' - some books).