- Usage note : a
- The determiner or indefinite article a or an is translated by un + masculine noun and by une + feminine noun :a tree= un arbrea chair= une chaiseThere are, however, some cases where the article is not translated :with professions and trades :her mother is a teacher= sa mère est professeurwith other nouns used in apposition :he’s a widower= il est veufwith what a :what a pretty house!= quelle jolie maison!For translations of a few, a little, a lot, a great many see the entries few, little, lot, many.When expressing prices in relation to weight, the definite article le/la is used in French :ten euros a kilo= dix euros le kiloIn other expressions where a/an means per, the French translation is usually par :twice a day= deux fois par jourFor translations of all other expressions using the indefinite article such as to make a noise, to make a fortune, at a blow etc. consult the appropriate noun entry (noise, fortune, blow etc.).
Big English-French dictionary. 2003.