Articles

Three tiny words (or none), telling the listener whether they already know which one you mean.

a / an vs the

A1a / an = any one · the = the specific one

„a/an” for something unspecified or first mentioned; „the” when both sides know which one.

Examples

I saw a dog. The dog was huge.
PLWidziałem psa. Ten pies był ogromny.
a → the on second mention
She's a doctor.
PLOna jest lekarką.
jobs take a/an

Common mistake

She is teacher.She is a teacher.

A job or a singular countable noun needs an article: „a teacher”. Polish has no articles, so it's easy to drop.

A2no article

No article for general meaning: uncountable and plural nouns, and most proper names.

Examples

A2the + one-of-a-kind / superlative

„The” with one-of-a-kind things (the sun, the internet) and with superlatives.

Examples

B1the Alps / the USA · but France, London

No article: countries, cities, streets. „The”: plural names, rivers, seas and mountain ranges.

Examples

A2what a… · twice a week · have a look

Many set phrases use „a/an” — including frequency expressions („once a…”) and exclamations.

Examples