ein
a / an
Indefinite article that accompanies a masculine noun in the singular nominative or a neuter noun in the singular nominative or accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ein Mann kauft ein Auto.
A man is buying a car.
ein
a / one
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Meanings
ein
one
Cardinal number for the digit 1 when it refers to a masculine or neuter noun and is stressed.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte bitte nur ein Brötchen, nicht zwei.
I would like just one bread roll, please, not two.
Usage tips
Model for other words
The endings of 'ein' (a/one) are the pattern for a whole group of words, which also includes 'kein' (no/not any) and the possessive articles (mein, dein, sein, etc.). If you learn the declension of 'ein', you can also use all these other words correctly.
EXAMPLE
Das ist ein Hund, das ist mein Hund, und das ist kein Hund.
That is a dog, that is my dog, and that is not a dog.
As a pronoun with an ending
When 'ein' (one) stands alone without a noun, it gets an ending. For masculine nouns it becomes 'einer', and for neuter nouns usually 'eins'.
EXAMPLE
Ist hier ein Arzt? – Ja, ich bin einer.
Is there a doctor here? – Yes, I am one.
Use without an ending
In two important cases, 'ein' (a/an) has no ending: before a masculine noun in the nominative and before a neuter noun in the nominative and accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ein Mann steht vor der Tür.
A man is standing at the door.
Article or number?
Whether 'ein' means an indefinite article or the number word '1' depends on the stress. As a number word, it is strongly stressed to indicate a quantity.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern ein Brötchen.
I would like a bread roll.
Compare with
ein vs eins
one
Ein and eins both refer to the number 1. Ein comes before a masculine or neuter noun, while eins is used independently when counting or doing arithmetic. Before a noun, use ein; when the number stands alone, use eins.
ein
Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Buch.
There is a book on the table.
eins
Bitte zähle langsam: eins, zwei, drei.
Please count slowly: one, two, three.
In real life
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