Articles "a"/ "an"

1. "a" and "an" have the same meaning. Both are indefinite articles. They are different only when they depend on the word or phoneme that follows them.

1.1. For example

1.1.1. a ball una pelota

1.1.2. an apple una manzana

2. When to use "an"

2.1. "an" is normally used before a noun that starts with a vowel, such as a, e, and i

2.1.1. For example

2.1.1.1. an apple una manzana

2.1.1.2. an album un álbum

2.1.1.3. an elephant un elefante

2.1.1.4. an ear una oreja

2.2. When the vowel "u" is pronounced as "uh", it is considered a vowel. That's why it's used with the words and phrases in the table below.

2.2.1. For example

2.2.1.1. an umpire un árbitro

2.2.1.2. an uncle un tío

2.3. Before a word that starts with a silent "h"

2.3.1. For example

2.3.1.1. an hour una hora

2.3.1.2. an honor un honor

3. When to use "a"

3.1. "a" is usually used before a noun that starts with a consonant, such as b, c, s, and t

3.1.1. For example

3.1.1.1. a boy un niño

3.1.1.2. a cat un gato

3.1.1.3. a dog un perro

3.1.1.4. a girl una niña

3.1.1.5. a lake un lago

3.2. When the vowel "u" or the combination "eu", for example, is pronounced as "you", they are considered a vowel. That's why "a" is used with the words in the table below.

3.2.1. For example

3.2.1.1. a unicorn un unicornio

3.2.1.2. a uniform un uniforme

3.2.1.3. a euro un euro

3.2.1.4. a European un europeo

3.3. Before a word that starts with an "h" that produces a raspy sound, as in the words in the table, "a" is used.

3.3.1. For example

3.3.1.1. a horse un caballo

3.3.1.2. a home una casa