Indefinite Articles — French Grammar

Indefinite articles correspond to the English words "a" or "an". They are used to introduce a noun that refers to a non-specific item, a quantity of one, or a person or object not previously mentioned.

In this language, every noun has a gender (masculine or feminine) and a number (singular or plural). The article you choose must match the noun it accompanies.

Singular Forms: Un and Une

There are two singular indefinite articles, depending on the gender of the noun.

Masculine: Use before masculine nouns.
Feminine: Use before feminine nouns.

C'est un livre intéressant.
It is an interesting book.
Elle habite dans une grande maison.
She lives in a big house.

These words also function as the number "one". Context usually clarifies whether you mean "a/an" or specifically "one".

Je voudrais une pomme, s'il vous plaît.
I would like one apple, please.

The Plural Form: Des

While English often omits the article in the plural (e.g., "I see cars"), this language requires an article. is the plural indefinite article used for both masculine and feminine nouns.

It can be translated as "some," but it is frequently left untranslated in English. It indicates an indefinite quantity of something countable.

Je vois des voitures.
I see cars.
Il achète des oranges.
He is buying (some) oranges.
Nous avons des amis en France.
We have friends in France.

Changes in Negative Sentences

A crucial rule involves negation. When a sentence is negative (using ), the indefinite articles , , and change to (or before a vowel). This change implies "not any" or "no".

J'ai un vélo.
I have a bike.
Je n'ai pas de vélo.
I don't have a bike.
Il n'y a pas d'élèves dans la classe.
There are no students in the class.

Exception: This rule does not apply when the main verb is (to be). With , the article remains unchanged even in the negative.

Ce n'est pas une bonne idée.
It is not a good idea.

Talking About Professions

When stating someone's profession directly after the verb (to be), the indefinite article is omitted, unlike in English where you say "He is a doctor."

Il est professeur.
He is a teacher.
Ma mère est avocate.
My mother is a lawyer.

However, if you use the phrase (he is/she is/it is) or if the profession is modified by an adjective, the article or must be used.

C'est un professeur.
He is a teacher.
Il est un excellent professeur.
He is an excellent teacher.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s French course

129 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 12. A few of them, with the words “Indefinite Articles” is about in bold:

J'achète une banane et six œufs.
I am buying one banana and six eggs.
Lesson 43
J'ai acheté une douzaine d'œufs et une barre chocolatée pour toi aussi.
I bought a dozen eggs and a candy bar for you too.
Lesson 47
Bonjour, Docteur. J'ai un problème.
Hello, Doctor. I have a problem.
Lesson 91

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