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Articolo indefinito
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:
Per esempio…
| 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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