Indefinite Article (An/A)

1. Exceptions

1.1. We use "a" before words that begin with the letters "u" or "eu" when they are pronounced as the figurative sound "yu".

1.2. EXAMPLES: a university(una universidad) a euro(un euro)

1.3. "An" is used with words that begin with "h", but only when it is not pronounced.

1.4. EXAMPLES: an hour(una hora) an honor (un honor)

2. Grammatical Rules

2.1. "A" is used with words that begin with a consonant.

2.2. EXAMPLES: a book(un libro) a pen(un bolígrafo) a chair(una silla) a girl(una chica)

2.3. "An" is used with words that begin with vowel.

2.4. EXAMPLES: an animal(un animal) an ice cream(un helado) an example(un ejemplo) an orange(una naranja) an umbrella(un paraguas)

3. Uses Of The Indefinite Article

3.1. It is used to talk about something in general.

3.2. EXAMPLES: He has a computer.(Él tiene un ordenador.) I want an orange.(Quiero una naranja.)

3.3. You can also use it instead of "1".

3.4. EXAMPLES: I want an apple and two oranges.(Quiero una manzana y dos naranjas.) There are a hundred students in the school.(Hay cien estudiantes en la escuela.)

3.5. It is used to talk about the job of someone or the political affiliation.

3.6. EXAMPLES: Maria is a doctor.(María es médico.) Juan is an architect.(Juan es arquitecto.) I am a democrat.(Soy demócrata.)