a
An unspecified example ofAn unspecified example of (something); the indefinite article.
» Italy is a very beautiful country.
Italien ist ein sehr schönes Land.
Италия — очень красивая страна.
Італія - дуже гарна країна.
Італія - це дуже красива країна
Італія - дуже красива країна.
Італія — дуже гарна країна.
Meaning
12 sensesAn unspecified example of (something); the indefinite article.
There was a man here looking for you yesterday.
One; used before score, dozen, hundred, thousand, million, etc.
I've seen it happen a hundred times.
Used in some phrases denoting quantity, such as a few, a good many, a couple, a little, a bit, etc.
He's a bit thick, isn't he?
They asked me a few questions.
Used in some phrases denoting quantity, such as a few, a good many, a couple, a little, a bit, etc.
Used before a numeral.
There are a few hundred orders that need to be fulfilled by tomorrow.
Used in some adverbial phrases denoting the degree or extent of an action, such as a little, a bit, a lot, etc.
The door was opened a little.
The same; one and the same. Used in phrases such as of a kind, birds of a feather, etc.
We are of a mind on matters of morals.
They're two of a kind.
Any; every; used before a noun which has become modified to limit its scope.
A man who dies intestate leaves his children troubles and difficulties.
Any; used with a negative to indicate not a single one.
It was so dark that we couldn't see a thing.
He fell all that way, and hasn't a bump on his head?
Used before an adjective that modifies a noun (singular or plural) delimited by a numeral.
The lottery jackpot is worth a staggering three hundred million dollars.
The holidays are a mere one week away.
One; someone named; used before a person's name, suggesting that the speaker knows little about the person other than the name.
We've received an interesting letter from a Mrs. Miggins of London.
Used before an adjective modifying a person's name, typically used to emphasize that person's current condition or emotional state.
Someone or something like; similar to; used before a proper noun to create an example out of it.
The center of the village was becoming a Times Square.
The man is a regular Romeo.
Examples
330849 sentencesItaly is a very beautiful country.
Італія - дуже гарна країна.
ruИталия — очень красивая страна.
deItalien ist ein sehr schönes Land.
Take a book and read it.
Візьми книгу та прочитай її!
ruВозьми книгу и прочитай её!
deNimm ein Buch und lies es!
I want a piece of candy.
Я хочу цукерку.
ruХочу конфету.
deIch will ein Bonbon.
She was wearing a black hat.
Вона була в чорному капелюсі.
ruОна была в чёрной шляпе.
deSie trug einen schwarzen Hut.
I'm going to take a bath.
Я збираюся прийняти ванну.
ruЯ собираюсь принять ванну.
deIch werde ein Bad nehmen.
Origin
From Middle English a, an, from Old English ān (“one; a; lone; sole”). More at one. The "nFrom Middle English a, an, from Old English ān (“one; a; lone; sole”). More at one. The "n" was gradually lost before consonants in almost all dialects by the 15th century. Cognate with Alemannic German a (“a, an”), East Franconian a (“a, an”).
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