uno
/oo-no/
Just like this single apple, 'uno' represents the quantity of one.
uno (Determiner / Adjective)
📝 In Action
¿Cuántos años tienes? — Tengo uno.
A1How old are you? — I'm one.
Necesito un bolígrafo, no dos.
A1I need one pen, not two.
Es la una de la tarde.
A1It's one in the afternoon.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Un' vs. 'Uno' Rule
Use 'un' right before a masculine thing you're talking about (like 'un libro'). Use 'uno' when it stands alone, like when you're counting or answering a question ('¿Cuántos? — Uno.').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Uno' Before a Word
Mistake: "Tengo uno libro."
Correction: Tengo un libro. The 'o' gets dropped when it comes directly before a masculine word. Think of it as being in a hurry to get to the next word!
⭐ Usage Tips
Telling Time at 1:00
For one o'clock, you always say 'Es la una'. It's feminine ('la una') because it refers to 'la hora' (the hour), which is a feminine word.
Here, 'uno' is used to point out a specific 'one' from a group, like choosing this single blue book.
uno (Pronoun)
📝 In Action
De todos los pasteles, quiero uno de chocolate.
A2Of all the cakes, I want a chocolate one.
¿Necesitas un bolígrafo? Toma uno.
A2Do you need a pen? Take one.
Uno de mis mejores amigos vive en España.
B1One of my best friends lives in Spain.
💡 Grammar Points
Replacing a Word You Just Said
'Uno' takes the place of a masculine thing so you don't have to say it again. Instead of '¿Quieres un coche? Sí, quiero un coche', you can just say 'Sí, quiero uno'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Singling Something Out
This is a great way to talk about one thing out of a larger group. You'll often see it as 'uno de...' which means 'one of...'.
When you're talking about people in general, 'uno' can mean 'one,' 'you,' or 'someone,' just like this anonymous person.
uno (Pronoun)
📝 In Action
Uno nunca sabe qué va a pasar en la vida.
B1One never knows what's going to happen in life.
En esa situación, uno tiene que ser fuerte.
B2In that situation, you have to be strong.
A veces uno no sabe qué decir.
B1Sometimes one doesn't know what to say.
💡 Grammar Points
Talking About 'People in General'
This use of 'uno' is a common way to make general statements about life. It's like saying 'one' or 'you' in English when you're not talking about a specific person.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Agreement
Mistake: "Una debe ser honesta."
Correction: Uno debe ser honesto. Even when a woman is speaking about her own general experience, it's very common to stick with the masculine 'uno' for this impersonal meaning.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sounding Natural
Using 'uno' to make general statements is very natural in spoken Spanish. It can sound a bit more personal and less formal than using other impersonal forms.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: uno
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'un' and 'uno'?
They both mean 'one'. Use 'un' when it's directly in front of a masculine word ('un perro'). Use 'uno' when it stands alone ('Tengo uno'). The 'o' gets dropped when a masculine noun is right after it.
Why do people say 'Es la una' for 1:00, but 'Son las dos' for 2:00?
'Una' is singular, so you use the singular verb 'es'. 'Dos' (and every other hour) is plural, so you use the plural verb 'son'. It's like saying 'It is one' versus 'They are two'.
Can a woman use 'uno' to talk about herself in a general way?
Yes, absolutely. It's very common for anyone, regardless of gender, to use 'uno' when making a general statement, like 'A veces uno se cansa' (Sometimes one gets tired). While using 'una' is possible, 'uno' is the more common and neutral choice for this impersonal meaning.