How do you use "a" in a sentence?

She bought a new car last week. I would like a sandwich, please. He visits his grandmother once a week.

a

Q: What does "a" mean?

Used before a noun to indicate one single thing or person The indefinite article 'a' (or 'an' before vowel sounds) introduces a singular noun that is not specific or has not been mentioned before. It can also indicate membership of a group, rate or frequency, or be used in exclamations. Learning when to use 'a/an' versus 'the' is a key challenge for English learners.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Significado: Used before a noun to indicate one single thing or person

一个，一

un, una

一つの、ある

하나의, 어떤

The indefinite article 'a' (or 'an' before vowel sounds) introduces a singular noun that is not specific or has not been mentioned before. It can also indicate membership of a group, rate or frequency, or be used in exclamations. Learning when to use 'a/an' versus 'the' is a key challenge for English learners.

「a」（元音前用「an」）是不定冠词，用于引入单数名词，表示不特定的或之前未提及的事物。它也可以表示群体成员、频率，或用于感叹句。学习何时使用「a/an」与「the」是英语学习者的一个主要挑战。

El artículo indefinido «a» (o «an» antes de sonidos vocálicos) introduce un sustantivo singular que no es específico o no ha sido mencionado antes. También puede indicar pertenencia a un grupo, frecuencia, o usarse en exclamaciones. Aprender cuándo usar «a/an» frente a «the» es un desafío clave para los estudiantes de inglés.

「a」（母音の前では「an」）は不定冠詞で、特定されていない、または以前に言及されていない単数名詞を導入します。グループへの所属、頻度を示したり、感嘆文で使われたりもします。「a/an」と「the」をいつ使うかを学ぶことは、英語学習者にとって重要な課題です。

부정관사 'a'(모음 소리 앞에서는 'an')는 특정하지 않거나 이전에 언급되지 않은 단수 명사를 소개합니다. 집단의 구성원, 비율이나 빈도를 나타내거나 감탄문에서도 사용됩니다. 'a/an'과 'the'의 사용법을 구분하는 것은 영어 학습자에게 중요한 과제입니다.

Ejemplos

She bought a new car last week.
她上周买了一辆新车。
Compró un coche nuevo la semana pasada.
彼女は先週新しい車を買いました。
그녀는 지난주에 새 차를 샀다.
I would like a sandwich, please.
我想要一个三明治。
Me gustaría un sándwich, por favor.
サンドイッチを一つください。
샌드위치 하나 주세요.
He visits his grandmother once a week.
他每周去看望他的祖母一次。
Visita a su abuela una vez a la semana.
彼は週に一度おばあさんを訪ねます。
그는 일주일에 한 번 할머니를 찾아뵙는다.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: general

Tono: neutral

Origen e historia

From Old English 'ān', meaning 'one'. The indefinite article developed from the numeral during Middle English, with the 'n' dropping before consonants. Cognate with German 'ein'.

Contexto cultural

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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