a
an before vowel or silent h [æn] [ən] [n] un (m) / una (f) (+ feminine noun starting with stressed a or ha) un
·a book
·un libro
·an apple
·una manzana
·a soul
·un alma
·an eagle
·un águila
·an axe
·un hacha
2. (article often omitted in translation)
2.1. (with professions)
·he is an engineer
·es ingeniero
·I am not a doctor
·yo no soy masculineédico
·he'noun a brilliant scientist
·es un excelente científico
·that child'noun a thief!
·¡ese niño es un ladrónoun!
2.2. (after tener/buscar if singular object the norm)
·I have a wife and six children
·tengo mujer y seis hijos
·have you got a passport?
·¿tiene usted pasaporte?
·I haven't got a car
·no tengo coche
·she'noun looking for a secretary
·busca secretaria
·she has a daughter
·tiene una hija
·they have a lovely house
·tienen una casa preciosa
LOOK FOR
2.3. (after negatives)
·you don't stand a chance
·no tienes posibilidad alguna
·without a doubt
·sin duda
·without saying a word
·sin decir palabra
2.4. (in expressions)
·half an hour
·media hora
·a fine excuse!
·¡bonita disculpa!
·what an idiot!
·¡qué idiota!
·a hundred pounds
·cien libras
·a drink would be nice
·me gustaría algo de beber
2.5. (apposition)
·Patrick, a lecturer at Glasgow University, says that ...
·Patrick, profesor de la Universidad de Glasgow, dice que ...
·the Duero, a Spanish river
·el Duero, un río español
3. (=a certain) una tal
·a Mr Smith called to see you
·vino a verte un tal señor Smith
4. (=each, per) por
·two apples a head
·dos manzanas por persona
·£80 a week
·80 libras por semana
·50 kilometres an hour
·50 kilómetros por hora
·30 pence a kilo
·30 peniques el kilo
·once a week/three times a month
·una vez a la semana/tres veces al mes