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L e s A r t i cl e s i n d é f i n i s - Indefinite Articles
The French definite, indefinite, and partitive articles are sometimes confusing for beginning French students, because there are several of each and they don't always correspond to articles in other languages. For me, the most important thing to remember is that if you have a noun in French, there is virtually always an article in front of it, unless you use a possessive (mon, ton, etc.) or a demonstrative (ce, cette, etc.) adjective. It is also vital that when you learn new vocabulary, you make sure to learn the gender of each noun, because the articles (as well as adjectives, pronouns, and just about everything else) change according to the gender of the noun.
The singular indefinite articles in French correspond to a, an, or one in English. The plural corresponds to some. There are three indefinite articles in French.
Singular
Plural
Masculine Feminine un une des un garçon
un amiune fille
une amiedes garçons
des filles
The indefinite article usually refers to an unspecified person or thing.
J'ai trouvé un livre - I found a book.
Voici une pomme - Here is an apple.
The indefinite article can also refer to just one of something:
Il y a un étudiant dans la salle - There is one student in the room.
The plural indefinite article means some:
J'ai acheté des haricots verts - I bought some green beans.
When refering to a person's profession, the indefinite is not used in French, although it is used in English - I know, I know, the exceptions never end.
Je suis professeur - I am a teacher.
In a negative construction, the indefinite article changes to de, meaning any:
J'ai une pomme ==> Je n'ai pas de pomme.
I have an apple ==> I don't have any apples.