5 The indefinite article in Italian
You'll need to know how to say 'a' (or 'an') in Italian.
Language: Indefinite article un/uno/una/un’
The Italian equivalent of English ‘a’ or ‘an’ (the indefinite article) is either un, uno, una or un’. The form depends on whether the noun it relates to is masculine or feminine and whether the noun starts with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or a consonant.
Masculine nouns
Use un with most masculine nouns:
- un bicchiere a glass
- un aperitivo an aperitif
Use uno before a masculine noun beginning with s + consonant (for example sc-, sp-):
- uno scontrino a receipt
- uno spuntino a snack
Use uno before a masculine noun beginning with gn, pn, ps, x, z, or with i or y followed by another vowel:
- uno zio an uncle
- uno yogurt a yogurt
Feminine nouns
Use una with a feminine noun beginning with a consonant:
- una birra a beer
- una pizza a pizza
Use un’ before a feminine noun beginning with a vowel:
- un'aranciata an orangeade
- un’acqua minerale a mineral water
Activity 11
From following the explanation above, add the appropriate indefinite article un, uno, una or un’ to each of the following words.
Example: un gelato
___ acqua minerale |
___ succo di frutta |
___ vino bianco |
___ amaro |
___ scontrino |
___ bar |
___ pasta |
___ acqua gassata |
___ espresso |
___ succo di mela |
___ spumante |
___ aranciata |
___ pizza |
___ cornetto |
Answer
un’acqua minerale |
un succo di frutta |
un vino bianco |
un amaro |
uno scontrino |
un bar |
una pasta |
un’acqua gassata |
un espresso |
un succo di mela |
uno spumante |
un’aranciata |
una pizza |
un cornetto |