Indefinite Articles: Un, Une, Des
Saying 'a,' 'an,' and 'some' in French
Category: Gendered Nouns
The Rule
Use un (masculine singular), une (feminine singular), and des (all plurals — meaning 'some').
Why This Matters
English uses 'a/an' for singular and often nothing for plural ('I bought books'). French requires an article in almost every case. The plural 'des' has no direct English equivalent — it means 'some' but is rarely translated. Forgetting des is one of the most common mistakes English speakers make.
Examples
• J'ai un frère et une sœur. — "I have a brother and a sister." [un = masculine, une = feminine] • Il y a des problèmes. — "There are (some) problems." [des = plural indefinite] • Elle achète une robe. — "She's buying a dress." [robe = feminine → une] • Nous avons des amis en France. — "We have friends in France." [English drops 'some,' French requires des]
Common Mistakes
❌ J'ai livres. ✅ J'ai des livres. → French requires the plural indefinite article des where English uses nothing. ❌ Elle a un voiture. ✅ Elle a une voiture. → Voiture is feminine — use une. ❌ Il y a problèmes. ✅ Il y a des problèmes. → You cannot drop des in French the way you drop 'some' in English.
Quick Tip
Train yourself to always include des before plural nouns. Every time you'd say 'I have books' in English, think 'J'ai des livres.'
Train yourself to always include des before plural nouns. Every time you'd say 'I have books' in English, think 'J'ai des livres.'
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: J'ai livres. → Correct: J'ai des livres.. French requires the plural indefinite article des where English uses nothing.
Incorrect: Elle a un voiture. → Correct: Elle a une voiture.. Voiture is feminine — use une.
Incorrect: Il y a problèmes. → Correct: Il y a des problèmes.. You cannot drop des in French the way you drop 'some' in English.
Quiz
Fill in the blank: J'ai acheté ___ chaussures. (I bought shoes.)