With or without indefinite article ??

Question

Why should I say "Je suis UN oncle" instead of "Je suis oncle"? I shall say "Il est président / prof / boulanger", always omitting the indefinite article. Is it different for family relations? Thanks in advance for any help.

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Alfred,
When talking about your profession with the verb 'être', there is no indefinite article in French.

Il est avocat = he is a lawyer
Elles sont peintres = they are painters

See link here: dont-use-indefinite-articles-with-professions
Attention: C'est + [indefinite article] + profession

C'est un boulanger = he is a baker
C'est une infirmière = she is a nurse

See link on the French indefinite article 
When talking about family realtions, you don't say "je suis oncle/tante/cousin etc" BUT "je suis un oncle / une tante...". As for "frère/soeur", you would only tend to use the indefinite article to say that you have a brother/sister: "j'ai un frère / une soeur".
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Manpreet Kaur · Answer

What about 'étudiant'? Do we omit Un before 'étudiant' too?

Céline Pickard · Answer

Bonjour Manpreet,
The same applies as above with 'étudiant':

Il est étudiant = he is a student
Elles sont étudiantes = they are students

C'est un/une étudiant(e) = he/she is a student
Bonne journée !