The aptly named indefinite article indicates an unspecific or unidentified noun.
Per esempio…
Vedo una gatta e un cane.
I see a cat and a dog.
Ha un’idea.
He has an idea.
Characteristics of indefinite articles
Used with countable nouns (as opposed to uncountable nouns like money and water)
Placed directly in front of a noun or an adjective + noun
Agree with the noun in gender and number
Italian indefinite articles
Masculine
Feminine
a, an, one
un, uno
una, un’
some
dei, degli
delle
+ There are two singular articles for each gender, each of which can mean a, an, or one:
Masculine
Un is the normal masculine singular indefinite article.
It changes to uno in front of a noun beginning with a complex sound.
Feminine
Una is the normal feminine singular indefinite article.
It contracts to un’ in front of a vowel.
Note that all of the above rules also apply to the number "one."
+ There are three plural indefinite articles, all equivalent to "some":
1.
Masculine plural of un:
dei
2.
Masculine plural of uno:
degli
3.
Feminine plural:
delle
Many Italian grammars say that there is no plural indefinite article, or that you just use the partitive when you need a plural. While the plural forms of the indefinite and partitive articles are indeed identical, there is a difference between them – see Partitive articles.
The Italian indefinite article is not always used when talking about a person’s profession with essere (to be).
Per esempio…
Nico è autore.
Nico è un autore.
He’s an author.
Sono insegnante.
Sono un insegnante.
I’m a teacher.
It’s a bit more common in northern Italy and in writing, but otherwise, it’s correct with and without.
However, it is required when modified by an adjective or other descriptor:
Nico è un autore famoso.
He’s a famous author.
Sono un insegnante di scuola elementare.
I’m a grade school teacher.
Note that plural indefinite articles are identical to di + corresponding definite articles (articulated prepositions).
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