Mosaico Italiano

What is an Indefinite Article in Italian? 

An indefinite article in Italian refers to something nonspecific or unidentified. In English, the indefinite articles are “a” and “an.” They precede a noun and refer to something general or unspecified. 

In Italian, there are four indefinite articles: 

• Masculine: uno, un 

• Feminine: una, un’ 

When and How to Use Indefinite Articles in Italian 

General or Unspecified Reference 

Use indefinite articles when referring to something general or not yet identified. For example, if you’re traveling through Puglia and want to find any beach nearby, you might say: “Sto cercando una spiaggia qua vicino.” (I’m looking for a beach nearby). Here, you’re not referring to a specific beach. 

First Mention of Something 

Indefinite articles are also used when mentioning something for the first time. If you’ve met someone new at an event and want to tell your friends, you might say: “Ho conosciuto una ragazza / un ragazzo.” (I met a girl/a guy). This introduces a new person to the conversation. 

How to Choose the Correct Indefinite Article 

To choose the correct indefinite article in Italian, consider two factors: 

1. Gender

• Masculine nouns use uno or un. 

• Feminine nouns use una or un’. 

2. The First Letter(s) of the Noun

• Masculine nouns: 

• Use uno before singular masculine nouns starting with: 

• s + consonant (e.g., “uno scandalo” – a scandal) 

• z (e.g., “uno zio” – an uncle) 

• x (e.g., “uno xilofono” – a xylophone) 

• pn, ps (e.g., “uno pneumatico” – a tire) 

• gn (e.g., “uno gnocco” – a dumpling) 

• i or y followed by another vowel (e.g., “uno yogurt” – a yogurt) 

• Use un before singular masculine nouns starting with any other consonant or a vowel (e.g., “un cane” – a dog, “un elefante” – an elephant). 

• Feminine nouns: 

• Use una before singular feminine nouns starting with: 

• A consonant (e.g., “una casa” – a house) 

• i or y followed by another vowel (e.g., “una iena” – a hyena) 

• Use un’ before singular feminine nouns starting with a vowel (e.g., “un’amica” – a friend, “un’idea” – an idea). 

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank 

Fill in the blanks with the correct indefinite article: un, uno, una, or un’. 

1. ___ ragazzo (a boy)
2. ___ studente (a student, masculine)
3. ___ casa (a house)
4. ___ amica (a friend, feminine)
5. ___ zaino (a backpack)
6. ___ albero (a tree)
7. ___ idea (an idea)
8. ___ psicologo (a psychologist)
9. ___ donna (a woman)
10. ___ xilofono (a xylophone) 

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice 

Choose the correct indefinite article for each noun. 

1. ___ libro (a book) 

• a) un 

• b) uno 

• c) una

2. ___ zio (an uncle) 

• a) un 

• b) uno 

• c) un’ 

3. ___ università (a university) 

• a) un 

• b) una 

• c) un’ 

4. ___ gnocco (a dumpling) 

• a) uno 

• b) un 

• c) una 

5. ___ ombra (a shadow) 

• a) una 

• b) un 

• c) un’ 

Exercise 3: Match the Article to the Noun 

Match each indefinite article to the appropriate noun. 

1. un
2. uno
3. una
4. un’ 

___ studente (a student, masculine) 
___ isola (an island) 
___ yogurt (a yogurt) 
___ fiera (a fair) 
___ uomo (a man) 
___ elefante (an elephant) 
___ fiore (a flower) 

Exercise 4: Correct the Sentence 

Identify and correct the errors in the use of indefinite articles in these sentences. 

1. Ho visto uno cane nel parco.
2. Lei ha comprato un’ libro nuovo.
3. Voglio mangiare uno pizza.
4. Ho incontrato una amico ieri sera.
5. C’è un’ uomo alla porta.