Italian Indefinite Articles

The indefinite articles are used to indicate a generic element of a whole.

Masculine indefinite articles

Un

: this indefinite article is used when the noun is masculine singular and begins with a consonant or a vowel. Note that we don’t use un’.

Un quaderno (a notebook)
Un libro (a book)
Un piatto (a dish)
Un uomo (a man)
Un albero (a tree)
Un aereo (a plane)

Uno

: when the noun is masculine singular and begins with s + consonant, ps, pn, z, x, y or gn.

Uno stato (a state)
Uno psicologo (a psychologist)
Uno pneumatico (a tyre)
Uno zoccolo (a hoof)
Uno xilofono (a xylophone)
Uno yacht (a yacht)
Uno gnomo (a gnome)

Feminine indefinite articles

Una

: this indefinite article is used when the noun is feminine singular and begins with a consonant.

una macchina (a car)
una penna (a pen)
una sedia (a chair)

Un’

: this indefinite article is used when the noun is feminine singular and begins with a vowel.

un’infermiera (a nurse)
un’insalata (a salad)
un’ora (an hour)

In the plural form, both masculine and feminine nouns use the indefinite adjectives Alcuni/eCerti/e.

Alcuni uomini
Certe cose

See also:

Italian Definite Articles Grammar Reference

Italian Indefinite Articles Video Exercise Italian song: Jovanotti, Baciami ancora

Exercise to test your knowledge of Italian definite and indefinite articles.

Italian Trailers Exercises: Definite and Indefinite Articles Lo Hobbit

Italian Trailers Exercises: Definite and Indefinite Articles Diverso da chi?