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How to Say "a" in Spanish

English → Spanish

un

/oon//un/

ArticleA1General
Use 'un' before a masculine singular noun that begins with a consonant sound.
A single, simple brown book sitting on a wooden table, representing the Spanish word 'un' which means 'a' or 'an'.

Examples

Tengo un perro.

I have a dog.

Necesito un bolígrafo nuevo.

I need a new pen.

Era un día soleado y perfecto.

It was a sunny and perfect day.

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).

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'.

una

/oo-nah//ˈuna/

ArticleA1General
Use 'una' before a feminine singular noun.
A single, red apple sitting on a wooden table, representing the concept of 'an apple' or 'una manzana'.

Examples

Tengo una pregunta.

I have a question.

Compré una casa grande.

I bought a big house.

Necesito una idea.

I need an idea.

Choosing 'Un' or 'Una'

Use 'una' before things that are considered 'feminine' in Spanish, like 'una casa' (a house) or 'una mesa' (a table). Use its partner, 'un', for 'masculine' things.

The 'Una' to 'Un' Switch

To make pronunciation easier, Spanish sometimes changes 'una' to 'un' right before a feminine word that starts with a stressed 'a-' or 'ha-' sound, like 'un águila' (an eagle), even though 'águila' is a feminine word.

Forgetting to Match

Mistake: “Tengo un problema y un solución.”

Correction: Tengo un problema y una solución. The word 'solución' is feminine, so it needs 'una', not 'un'.

algún

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'algún' before a masculine singular noun to mean 'some' or 'any', often implying one out of many.

Examples

Necesito algún libro para leer.

I need some book to read.

uno

/oo-no//ˈu.no/

PronounA2General
Use 'uno' as a pronoun to replace a masculine singular noun when you want to refer to 'one' of something previously mentioned or implied.
A hand pointing to a single blue book on a shelf filled with identical red books, selecting 'one' from the group.

Examples

De todos los pasteles, quiero uno de chocolate.

Of all the cakes, I want a chocolate one.

¿Necesitas un bolígrafo? Toma uno.

Do you need a pen? Take one.

Uno de mis mejores amigos vive en España.

One of my best friends lives in Spain.

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'.

Article vs. Pronoun Confusion

The most common mistake is using 'un' or 'una' when you actually mean 'one' as a substitute for a noun, which requires 'uno'. Remember, 'un/una' are articles that must precede a noun, while 'uno' stands alone to replace one.

Related Translations

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