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Indefinite German Articles: ein eine

In German we have two main indefinite articles: ein and eine. The German indefinite articles: ein/eine are used just like the English letter: a.

We use ein/eine if something is unknown, new or non specific and we use it only with singular nouns.

Here I explain this topic in German: Unbestimmter Artikel ein eine.

German Indefinite Articles - ein eine

How to use the German indefinite articles

Tip: If the article of the singular noun is die you use eine otherwise ein.

For Example: die Frau = eine Frau.
but: das Mädchen = ein Mädchen.

Maybe you wonder why we don’t use the article die when we use the word Mädchen (girl). After all it is a female person, right?

Well, I know it is strange but we have an exception here. Please note that the word Mädchen has the article das and therefore we must use ein Mädchen and not eine Mädchen.

Note: If we have a plural noun we don’t use the indefinite article in German at all:

Ein Mann mag Bier.
A man likes beer.
(Mann = singular noun).

However:
Männer mögen Bier.
Men like beer.
(Männer = plural noun).

How to use indefinite article in German – Exercise A:

How to learn with part A of the exercise

  1. Have a look at the picture.
  2. Read and listen a few times.
  3. Repeat after the speaker.
  4. Make sure that you imitate the pronunciation of the speaker.
  5. After a few repetitions go on to part B (farther below).

Tip: Always try to imagine the situations in your mind; it will help you to remember the words!

Exercise - Indefinite German Articles: ein eine

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ein Mann
a man

Ein Mann liest.
A man is reading.

eine Frau
a woman

Eine Frau isst.
A woman is eating.

ein Junge
a boy

Ein Junge trinkt.
A boy is drinking.

ein Mädchen
a girl

Ein Mädchen schreibt.
A girl is writing.

How to Use indefinite article in German – Exercise B:

How to learn with part B of the exercise

Question and Answer Part:

  1. Read and listen a few times to the questions and answers.
  2. Answer the questions in the pauses (you may look also at the answers).
  3. After a few times don’t look at the answers anymore.
  4. Make sure that you imitate the pronunciation of my voice.
  5. Repeat the lesson until you can answer the questions easily.
indefinite article in German - Exercise B

      Playbutton

Question and Answer Part

Question: 

Wer liest – ein Mann oder eine Frau?

Answer: 

Ein Mann
Ein Mann liest.

Wer isst – eine Frau oder ein Mann? 

Eine Frau
Eine Frau isst.

Wer trinkt – ein Mädchen oder ein Junge? 

Ein Junge
Ein Junge trinkt.

Und (and) wer schreibt – eine Frau oder ein Mädchen? 

Ein Mädchen
Ein Mädchen schreibt.

That was a first exercise on the German indefinite articles. If you also practice with my other exercises, the indefinite articles will soon no longer be difficult for you.

!
Don't stop now - repeat this part again!

Repeat this lesson until you can easily answer the questions.

s
ABC - The German Alphabet

In my next lesson you can listen to the German alphabet.

Some letters are pronounced very similar to the English pronunciation, others are slightly different.

>>> German Alphabet ABC

And if you want to know how to negate a noun, you should read this page:

>>> What’s the difference between nicht and kein?

It will pay off in the end! 

I know that learning a second or third language can be very difficult at first but never give up! Even if it seems to be a very long way, it will pay off in the end.

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