⇒ Spanish nouns are often accompanied by a definite article or an indefinite article - see the general notes
⇒ A lot of the time, the inclusion or omission of an indefinite article in Spanish matches up with the English translation.
| Tengo una manzana.I have an apple. |
| ¿Hay manzana en esta ensalada?Does this salad have apple(s)? |
⇒ However, there are also times that you will use the indefinite article in Spanish but not in the English translation.
⇒ Below you will find a some helpful guidelines for remembering when and when not to use the indefinite article in Spanish.
| Quiero una manzana.I want an apple. |
| Tengo un libro de gramática.I have a grammar book. |
| Mi hermano es un genio.My brother is a genius. |
| Mis padres son unos héroes.My parents are heroes. |
| Tengo unos cincuenta dólares.I have about fifty dollars. |
| Compró unos perros calientes.He bought a few hot dogs. |
| Necesitamos unas guitarras.We need a few guitars. |
| ¿Hay calabaza en la sopa?Is there a (any) squash in the soup? |
| ¿Hay arañas en su sótano?Are there spiders in your basement? |
| Soy profesora de español.I am a Spanish professor. |
| Él es católico.He is a Catholic. |
| Mis amigos son peruanos.My friends are Peruvian. |
⇒ If you modify a profession, religion, or nationality with an adjective, then you do use an indefinite article.
| Soy una profesora de español muy buena.I am a very good Spanish teacher. |
| Él es un católico muy creyente.He is a very faithful Catholic. |
| Mis amigos son unos peruanos muy simpáticos.My friends are very nice Peruvians. |
| ¿Tienes coche?I am a Spanish professor. |
| Ahora tenemos tele.Now we've got a TV |
⇒ If you modify the possession with an adjective, then you do use an indefinite article.
| Tengo un coche rojo.I have a red car |
| Ahora tenemos un teléfono inalámbrico.Now we have a wireless phone. |
| Cierta persona tiene un secreto.A certain person has a secret. |
| Iremos al cine en media hora.We'll go to the theater in a half hour. |
| No me cuentes tal cosa.Don't tell me such a thing. |
| Dame otra camisa.Give me another shirt. |
| Él ganó mil dólares.He won a thousand dollars. |