eine
a / an
Indefinite article that accompanies a feminine noun in the singular nominative or accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich sehe eine Katze auf der Straße.
I see a cat on the street.
eine
a / one
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Meanings
eine
one
Cardinal number for the digit 1 when it refers to a feminine noun and is stressed.
EXAMPLE
Es gibt nur eine richtige Antwort.
There is only one correct answer.
eine
one
Indefinite pronoun that stands in for an unspecified feminine person or thing.
EXAMPLE
Eine von uns muss die Entscheidung treffen.
One of us has to make the decision.
Usage tips
Model for other words
The form 'eine' (a/one) is the pattern for the feminine form (nominative/accusative) of the 'ein' words, such as 'keine' (no/not any) and the possessive articles (meine, deine, seine). In these cases, they all end in '-e'.
EXAMPLE
Das ist eine Lampe. Das ist meine Lampe. Das ist keine Lampe.
That is a lamp. That is my lamp. That is not a lamp.
Same in nominative and accusative
Before a feminine noun in the singular, the form 'eine' (a/an) is used in both the nominative and the accusative. You do not need to change the article in these two cases.
EXAMPLE
Eine Frau wartet an der Haltestelle.
A woman is waiting at the stop.
Article or number?
When 'eine' (one) is strongly stressed, it is the number word '1' and not the indefinite article. The context and the stress show the exact meaning.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe noch eine Frage.
I have one more question.
Use as a pronoun
'Eine' (one) can also stand alone and then replaces a previously mentioned or known feminine noun. It then functions as a pronoun.
EXAMPLE
Brauchst du eine Tasche? – Ja, ich nehme eine.
Do you need a bag? – Yes, I'll take one.
Compare with
eine vs jemand
someone
Here, eine and jemand both refer to an unspecified person. Eine assumes that a recognizable group of females is being referred to and often sounds more colloquial. Jemand does not specify a gender and also works without such a group.
eine
Von den Kolleginnen hat vorhin eine angerufen.
One of the female colleagues called earlier.
jemand
Aus dem Büro hat vorhin jemand angerufen.
Someone from the office called earlier.
In real life
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