Indefinite articles are used as ‘a’ or ‘an’ and ‘some’ in English. un is used with masculine nouns, une with feminine nouns and des for all plural nouns. However, indefinite articles may not be needed in French in some instances where usage is required in English, notably:
With occupations
e.g. Mon oncle est entraîneur de football = My uncle is a football coach
After the following words
Quel(le) – What
e.g. Quel dommage ! = What a shame!
En tant que – As
e.g. Je vous conseille en tant que parent comme vous = I am advising you as a fellow parent
Ne…ni... ni – Neither… nor
e.g La fille n’a ni crayon ni stylo = The girl has neither a pencil nor a pen
Sans – Without
e.g. Les riches vivent sans souci = The rich live without a care
Nota Bene: Articles are often omitted in French when listing.
e.g. Nous avons vu beaucoup de fruits sur le marché: pommes, bananes, poivrons = We saw lots of fruit at the market: apples, bananas, peppers