Romanian indefinite articles: un, o, and niște

Romanian puts the indefinite article before the noun: un băiat (a boy), o fată (a girl), niște copii (some children). When you introduce a person or thing that is not already identified, use an indefinite article.

How do you choose un, o, or niște?

Choose un for a masculine or neuter singular noun. Choose o for a feminine singular noun. Choose niște for a plural noun.

The article agrees with the noun’s gender and number. If you are not sure whether a noun is masculine, feminine, or neuter, learn it with its article and plural: un scaun, două scaune (one chair, two chairs). See noun gender for that pattern.

When do you use an indefinite article?

• For one non-specific person or thing, use un or o: Am o carte. (I have a book.)
• For non-specific plural items, use niște: Văd niște studenți. (I see some students.)
• When you introduce a non-specific noun, use an indefinite article; once the same noun is identified, use the definite article: Am o carte. Cartea este bună. (I have a book. The book is good.)

When can un or o mean one and niște modify a mass noun?

Un and o can also mean the number one. In beginner sentences, the form is the same, so context tells you whether English needs a/an or one: Am o soră. can mean I have a sister or I have one sister.

Niște usually means some with plural nouns, but it can also be used with singular mass nouns for an unspecified amount: niște lapte (some milk). With ordinary count nouns, keep the simple pattern: singular un/o, plural niște.

Which indefinite article forms mean of/to a or of/to some?

In genitive and dative phrases, each basic indefinite article changes form. Compare the basic article with the case form and noun pattern.

Mistakes to avoid

• Do not use o with a masculine noun: say un profesor (a male teacher), not o profesor.
• Do not use un with a feminine noun: say o masă (a table), not un masă.
• When you mean a/an with a singular count noun, use un or o: say un scaun (a chair), not niște scaun.