With or without indefinite article ??

Alfred S.C1Kwiziq community member

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.

Asked 3 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect 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 K.A1Kwiziq community member

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

CélineNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

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 !

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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