Indefinite Articles

01

Singular Forms: Um and Uma

The singular indefinite articles are um (masculine) and uma (feminine). They are the equivalent of "a" or "an." The choice between them depends on the gender of the noun that follows, not the sound it starts with as in English.

Use um before a masculine singular noun.

• Eu comprei um livro novo.

  I bought a new book.

• Ele quer um café, por favor.

  He wants a coffee, please.

Use uma before a feminine singular noun.

• Você tem uma caneta?

  Do you have a pen?

• Ela viu uma casa bonita.

  She saw a beautiful house.

02

Plural Forms: Uns and Umas

The plural indefinite articles are uns (masculine) and umas (feminine). They refer to an unspecified quantity and can be translated as "some" or "a few." While English often omits an article in these plural cases, Portuguese generally requires one.

Use uns before a masculine plural noun.

• Eu preciso de uns sapatos novos.

  I need some new shoes.

• Tem uns meninos jogando bola na rua.

  There are some boys playing soccer in the street.

Use umas before a feminine plural noun.

• Ela comeu umas frutas depois do almoço.

  She ate some fruit after lunch.

• Nós convidamos umas amigas para a festa.

  We invited some friends to the party.

03

Article vs. Number

The words um and uma are also the words for the number "one." The meaning is determined by the context. As an article, it introduces a non-specific item. As a number, it specifies the quantity.

When used as an article, the focus is on the object's identity.

• Você pode me dar um copo de água?

  Can you give me a glass of water?

When used as a number, the focus is on the quantity, which is often emphasized or contrasted.

• Eu quero só um copo, não dois.

  I want only one glass, not two.

• Ela tem uma irmã e dois irmãos.

  She has one sister and two brothers.

04

When to Omit the Indefinite Article

The indefinite article is typically omitted after the verb ser (to be) when stating an unmodified profession, nationality, or religion.

• Meu pai é professor.

  My father is a professor.

• Ana é brasileira.

  Ana is a Brazilian.

However, if an adjective or descriptive phrase is added, the article becomes necessary.

• Meu pai é um professor muito dedicado.

  My father is a very dedicated professor.

• Ana é uma brasileira que fala japonês.

  Ana is a Brazilian who speaks Japanese.

05

Expressing Approximation

The plural indefinite articles uns and umas can be placed before a number to express an approximate quantity, meaning "about" or "around."

• Ele tem uns 40 anos.

  He is about 40 years old.

• A viagem dura umas duas horas.

  The trip takes about two hours.

• Custou uns cem reais.

  It cost around one hundred reais.