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.
With or without indefinite article ??
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AlfredKwiziq community member
With or without indefinite article ??
This question relates to:French lesson "Un/une = A or An (French Indefinite Articles)"
Asked 2 years ago
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 !
CélineKwiziq team member
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 !
Alfred asked:View original
With or without indefinite article ??
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.
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