You've already seen how to use indefinite articles un or une to express a/an (see Un/une = A or An (French Indefinite Articles))
Using un/une in negative sentences in French
Now look at these negative sentences:
Indefinite articles un and une become de or d' (in front of a vowel or mute h) after a negative expression (ne...pas / ne...jamais / ne...plus ... etc.) in order to express no / any.
ATTENTION:
This rule does NOT apply to sentences using the verb être and other List of French "state verbs" - "verbes d'état", with which the indefinite article doesn't change:
EXCEPTION:
When you want to emphasise the meaning of ONE (un/une) - not just a/an - as in He doesn't have ONE car, but TWO, you will keep un/une in the negative sentence - but here it doesn't mean no/any:
Also see Du/de la/de l'/des all become de/d' in negative sentences (French Partitive Articles)
Note that definite articles (le, la, l', les) don't change in negative sentences:
J'aime le chocolat. -> Je n'aime pas le chocolat.
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Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Il reste un ami loyal. - Non, il ne reste pas un ami loyal !He remains a loyal friend. - No, he doesn't remain a loyal friend!
Elle est devenue une excellente danseuse. - Non, elle n'est pas devenue une excellente danseuse !She became a great dancer. - No, she didn't become a great dancer!
