Indefinite Articles

Italiano A1A13. Unit 3: Around the City

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Mastering Indefinite Articles (A / An)

In Italian, the word for a or an changes depending on the gender (masculine or feminine) of the noun and the first letter of that noun. Just like ‘a’ and ‘an’ in English, choosing the right article makes your Italian sound natural!

The Masculine Articles: UN and UNO

• un is used for most masculine nouns starting with a vowel or most consonants.
  Example: un bar (a bar) / un ospedale (a hospital).
• uno is used for masculine nouns starting with s + consonant (s impure), z, gn, or ps.
  Example: uno stadio (a stadium) / uno zio (an uncle).

The Feminine Articles: UNA and UN’

• una is used for feminine nouns starting with a consonant.
  Example: una banca (a bank).
• un’ (with an apostrophe) is used for feminine nouns starting with a vowel.
  Example: un’ edicola (a newsstand).

Common Mistakes

Avoid saying *un* stadio. Because ‘stadio’ starts with s + consonant, it must always be uno stadio!