Indefinite articles in Italian - Gli articoli indeterminativi in italiano

-

Indefinite articles in Italian are used to indicate a generic, non-specific element and vary according to the gender of the noun they follow. They can precede either a noun or an adjective, and their forms change depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine. The indefinite articles in Italian are UN, UNO for the masculine and UNA, UN' for the feminine. Each form is used in specific contexts according to the word that follows it. Italian indefinite articles follow similar rules to definite articles in the singular.

Masculine indefinite articles

UN is used in front of masculine words that begin with a vowel or consonant (except for special consonants that require ‘uno’).

For examples:

  • un cavallo (like il cavallo)
  • un uomo (like l’uomo)

    • UNO is used in front of masculine words beginning with (See definite articles article):

    • s + consonant → e.g. uno studente
    • z → e.g. uno zaino
    • ps → e.g. uno psicologo
    • gn → e.g. uno gnomo
    • x → e.g. uno xylofono
    • y → e.g. uno yogurt
    This choice of 'UN' or 'UNO' therefore follows the same rules as the masculine singular definite article (the/the) and allows for a smoother pronunciation.

    Feminine indefinite articles

    UNA is used before feminine words that begin with a consonant.

    For examples:

  • una ragazza (like la ragazza)
  • una mela (like la mela)

    • UN', with an apostrophe, is used before feminine words that begin with a vowel, dropping the final 'a' of UNA:

  • un’amica (like l’amica)
  • un’isola (like l’isola)

    • General rule

    • The masculine UN is used for words beginning with a vowel or consonant, and a for words beginning with s + consonant, z, ps, gn, x or y: un amico, uno studente, uno zaino, uno psicologo, uno gnomo, uno xilofono, uno yogurt.
    • The feminine UNA is used for words beginning with a consonant and UN' for words beginning with a vowel: una casa, una torta, un'ape (una ape), un'amica (una amica).

    The indefinite articles in Italian are UN, UNO for the masculine and UNA, UN' for the feminine. Each form is used in specific contexts according to the word that follows it. Italian indefinite articles follow similar rules to definite articles in the singular.

    The apostrophe

    Masculine: UN  and UNO

    The masculine indefinite article is UN and never has an apostrophe before words that begin with a vowel. This is because the masculine UN is already a shortened form of UNO and, unlike the feminine, does not need an apostrophe. 

    For examples:

  • un amico (not un’amico)
  • un albero (not un’albero)

    • Feminine: UNA and UN'

    For the feminine, the indefinite article is UNA, which changes to UN' with an apostrophe before words that begin with a vowel. This is done by elision to avoid two consecutive vowels. 

    Here are some examples:

  • una amica becomes un’amica
  • una idea becomes un’idea

    • The elision rule

    The absence of elision in the masculine indefinite article UN is a grammatical rule of Italian, linked to both historical and structural reasons. Let's see why.

    1. The article UN is already a contracted form of UNO. This contraction eliminates the need for an 'a' or other final vowel, so the masculine UN has never had to be omitted. There is no extra vowel to drop, as there is with the feminine UNA.
    1. Italian grammar does not require the masculine UN to be omitted simply because its form is considered complete even without additional vowels. The form UN is grammatically correct and does not require an apostrophe.
    1. Difference between UN and UNA: the feminine 'una' is not a contracted form and the final 'a' is elided (dropped) to form UN' before a word beginning with a vowel. This follows the Italian rules of elision that apply to various feminine words (such as "l'amica " from "la amica").

    In short, the absence of elision in the masculine article UN is a convention that is historically established and maintained in Italian grammar rules.

    To recapitulate

    Masculine: UN (without apostrophe) - e.g. un uomo, un albero

    Feminine: UNA→ UN' before a vowel - e.g. un’amica, un’isola

    To conclude

    The correct use of the indefinite article in Italian is essential for clear and fluent communication. Remember that the masculine never needs an apostrophe, while the feminine uses it to avoid the sound of two consecutive vowels. Practising these rules will help you feel more confident when constructing sentences in Italian and will make your language more natural.


    Learning Italian on your own requires commitment and dedication, but with the right strategies and resources, you can achieve your goal. Remember to have fun during the process and celebrate every little bit of progress. Enjoy your journey towards learning Italian!

    If you would like to expand on any of the concepts or would like to speak to a native speaker teacher qualified in teaching Italian to foreigners, please contact me at info@appylanguage.com. I will be happy to meet you and guide you in a one-to-one online session. Happy learning!

    If you have any questions or would like to share your learning experience, please leave a comment below. I'm curious to know how you are progressing on your language journey!

    You can now download your FREE EXERCISES on Indefinite articles in Italian - Gli articoli indeterminativi in italiano

    NO credit card required!

    Popular posts from this blog

    The definite articles - Gli articoli determinativi

    -
    Image
    We are going to explore together a very important element of the Italian language: the definite articles. These small but powerful words will help you add precision and definition to your sentences. But don't worry, using definite articles in Italian is easier than you might think! If you think of a sentence as a house, definite articles are the keys that allow you to open the right doors. Are you ready? Let's get started! What is a definite article? The definite articles are very similar to those found in other languages such as English (the), French (le, la, l', les), Spanish (el, la, los, las) or German (der, die, das).  In Italian, the definite article is used to indicate something specific that is already known to both the speaker and the listener. Here are some examples : Il gatto è sulla poltrona. (The cat is on the armchair) Here, the definite article indicates that we are talking about a specific cat that we both know. Apro la porta. (I am opening the door.) The ...
    Read more

    The best way to learn Italian on your own

    -
    Image
    Embarking on the journey of learning a foreign language on your own can feel like a daunting challenge, but it's also an incredibly rewarding experience. With the right approach, effective tools and a well-structured plan, you can make significant progress - even without formal classes. If Italian is the language you want to master, you're in for an exciting adventure! As well as being the language of art, music and cuisine, Italian is the gateway to a rich and fascinating culture. Learning it allows you to connect with its people, explore its traditions and immerse yourself in its beauty. In this article, we'll give you practical and actionable tips to help you learn Italian on your own. From setting clear goals to embracing cultural immersion, we'll take you step-by-step to ensure your learning process is both effective and enjoyable. Let's get started on your journey to speaking Italian with confidence! 1. Set clear objectives Before you start, clearly define you...
    Read more

    Prepositions DI - A and IN - Preposizioni DI, A e IN

    -
    Image
    Let's take a look at three essential Italian prepositions: DI, A and IN. When learning a new language, it's important to take things step by step, starting with the basics that will help you communicate right away. In Italian, prepositions play a key role in everyday conversation and mastering just a few can make a big difference. In this lesson we'll focus on DI, A and IN - three basic prepositions that allow you to talk about yourself, your hometown, the city you live in and even the country you call home. By understanding how to use these prepositions, you'll be able to express yourself clearly and lay a strong foundation for your Italian learning journey. 1.  DI - The preposition of origin If you want to say where you are from , you can use DI . It is one of the first prepositions you will encounter and is very useful for simple introductions and descriptions. Example :  "Sono di Milano".
This means that the person is from Milan. 2.  A - The preposition fo...
    Read more