Indefinite German Articles: ein eine

In German, there are two main indefinite articles: ein and eine.

These articles function similarly to the English article a.

We use ein or eine when referring to something that is unknown, new, or non-specific, and they are only used with singular nouns.

If you’d prefer to read this explanation in German, visit this page: Unbestimmter Artikel: ein, eine.

What are indefinite articles?

In German, there are two indefinite articles in the nominative case: ein and eine.

These articles are used exclusively in the singular form when referring to something unknown, new, or unspecified.

Furthermore, indefinite articles can change according to the four grammatical cases (nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative).

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).

🎓 Indefinite Article in German – Exercise A:

1. Start by looking at the picture.
2. Read the text and listen to the audio several times.
3. Repeat each phrase after the speaker.
4. Focus on accurately imitating the speaker’s pronunciation.
5. Once you’ve practiced a few times, move on to Part B (further down).

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

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.

🎓 Indefinite Article in German – Exercise B:

How to Practice with Part B of the Exercise

Question and Answer Section:

1. Start by reading and listening to the questions and answers several times.
2. Try to answer the questions during the pauses (feel free to refer to the answers if needed).
3. After a few repetitions, challenge yourself to answer without looking at the answers.
4. Focus on mimicking my pronunciation as closely as possible.
5. Keep repeating the exercise until you can easily answer all the questions.

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.

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.