How to Say "one" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “one” is “un” — use 'un' when 'one' acts as a number directly before a masculine noun..
un
/oon//un/
Examples
Solo quiero un taco, por favor.
I only want one taco, please.
Queda un asiento libre.
There is one free seat left.
Contamos: un, dos, tres...
We count: one, two, three...
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!
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'.
una
/oo-nah//ˈuna/
Examples
- ¿Quieres una galleta? - Sí, quiero una.
- Do you want a cookie? - Yes, I want one.
Tengo dos hermanas. Una es doctora y la otra es abogada.
I have two sisters. One is a doctor and the other is a lawyer.
De todas las opciones, prefiero una en particular.
Of all the options, I prefer one in particular.
Es la una de la tarde.
It is one in the afternoon.
A Stand-in Word
'Una' can take the place of a feminine word you just mentioned so you don't have to say it again. It's the feminine version of 'uno'.
The 'One' Exception
When telling time, use 'son las' for every hour (son las dos, son las tres) EXCEPT for one o'clock, where you must use 'es la una'.
Using 'Uno' for Feminine Things
Mistake: “- ¿Necesitas una silla? - Sí, necesito uno.”
Correction: - ¿Necesitas una silla? - Sí, necesito una. Since 'silla' (chair) is feminine, you need to use the feminine stand-in word, 'una'.
Saying 'Son la una'
Mistake: “Son la una de la tarde.”
Correction: Es la una de la tarde. Because 'una' is singular (one hour), you use the singular verb 'es'. All other hours are plural, so they use 'son'.
uno
/oo-no//ˈu.no/
Examples
¿Cuántos años tienes? — Tengo uno.
How old are you? — I'm one.
Necesito un bolígrafo, no dos.
I need one pen, not two.
Es la una de la tarde.
It's one in the afternoon.
De todos los pasteles, quiero uno de chocolate.
Of all the cakes, I want a chocolate one.
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.').
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'.
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.
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!
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.
uno
Examples
Uno nunca sabe qué va a pasar en la vida.
One never knows what's going to happen in life.
se
Examples
Aquí se habla español.
Spanish is spoken here.
sola
/soh-lah//ˈso.la/
Examples
Queda una sola galleta en el paquete.
There is a single cookie left in the package.
No he leído ni una sola página del libro.
I haven't read a single page of the book.
La sola idea de hablar en público me aterra.
The mere idea of speaking in public terrifies me.
Where You Put It Changes the Meaning
For this meaning, sola usually goes before the noun. una sola respuesta means 'one single answer'. If you put it after, una respuesta sola, it means 'an answer that is by itself', which sounds a bit strange.
Confusing with 'only' (the adverb)
Mistake: “Como sola una manzana.”
Correction: Como solo una manzana. When you mean 'only' as in 'I only do this', you use the word `solo` (which never changes). When you mean 'a single apple' (describing the apple), you would say `como una sola manzana`.
una
Examples
Es la una de la tarde.
It is one in the afternoon.
Masculine vs. Feminine 'One'
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