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Omitting 'a' and 'an' with professions and religions

When you start speaking Spanish, it is incredibly tempting to translate sentences exactly as they appear in English. If you want to say that someone is a student, you might instinctively say soy un estudiante. However, to a Spanish speaker, this sounds unnatural.

When you use the verb ser to state someone's profession, religion, or nationality, Spanish completely omits the indefinite article. Words like un or una are left out, meaning you transition directly from the verb to words like médico, profesor, or católico.

Word list
actormA1 actor es actor = he is an actor actrizfA1 actress es actriz = she is an actress artistaA1 artist es artista = he/she is an artist camarerafA1 waitress es camarera = she is a waitress camareromA1 waiter soy camarero = I am a waiter dentistaA1 dentist es dentista = he/she is a dentist doctormA1 doctor es doctor = he is a doctor doctorafA1 doctor es doctora = she is a doctor estudianteA1 student eres estudiante = you are a student maestrafA1 teacher mi madre es maestra = my mother is a teacher maestromA1 teacher es maestro = he is a teacher médicafA1 doctor es médica = she is a doctor médicomA1 doctor soy médico = I am a doctor meserafA1 waitress es mesera = she is a waitress meseromA1 waiter es mesero = he is a waiter músicomA1 musician es músico = he is a musician profesormA1 teacher es profesora = she is a teacher profesorafA1 teacher soy profesora = I am a teacher abogadomA2 lawyer es abogado = he is a lawyer arquitectafA2 architect es arquitecta = she is an architect arquitectomA2 architect es arquitecto = he is an architect autormA2 author es autor = he is an author autorafA2 author es autora = she is an author bomberafA2 firefighter es bombera = she is a firefighter bomberomA2 firefighter es bombero = he is a firefighter cajerafA2 cashier es cajera = she is a cashier cajeromA2 cashier es cajero = he is a cashier cantanteA2 singer es cantante = he/she is a singer capitánmA2 captain es capitán del equipo = he is a team captain capitanafA2 captain es capitana = she is a captain chefA2 chef es chef = he/she is a chef científicomA2 scientist es científico = he is a scientist conductormA2 driver es conductor de autobús = he is a bus driver conductorafA2 driver es conductora de taxi = she is a taxi driver cristianafA2 Christian es cristiana = she is a Christian cristianomA2 Christian es cristiano = he is a Christian directormA2 director es director = he is a director director de cinemA2 director es director de cine = he is a film director empresariomA2 businessman es empresario = he is a businessman enfermerafA2 nurse soy enfermera = I am a nurse enfermeromA2 nurse es enfermero = he is a nurse escritormA2 writer es escritor = he is a writer escritorafA2 writer es escritora = she is a writer granjerafA2 farmer es granjera = she is a farmer granjeromA2 farmer es granjero = he is a farmer guía turísticafA2 tour guide es guía turística = she is a tour guide guía turísticomA2 tour guide es guía turístico = he is a tour guide ingenierafA2 engineer es ingeniera = she is an engineer ingenieromA2 engineer son ingenieros = they are engineers juezmA2 judge es juez = he is a judge juezafA2 judge es jueza = she is a judge militarA2 soldier su padre es militar = his father is a soldier mozafA2 waitress es moza = she is a waitress (Argentina) mozomA2 waiter es mozo = he is a waiter (Argentina) musulmánmA2 Muslim es musulmán = he is a Muslim musulmanafA2 Muslim es musulmana = she is a Muslim panaderafA2 baker es panadera = she is a baker panaderomA2 baker es panadero = he is a baker payasafA2 clown es payasa = she is a clown payasomA2 clown es payaso = he is a clown peluquerafA2 hairdresser es peluquera = she is a hairdresser peluqueromA2 hairdresser es peluquero = he is a hairdresser periodistaA2 journalist es periodista = he/she is a journalist pilotomA2 pilot es piloto = he/she is a pilot pintormA2 painter es pintor = he is a painter poetaA2 poet es poeta = he/she is a poet policíaA2 policeman mi hermano es policía = my brother is a police officer políticafA2 politician es política = she is a politician políticomA2 politician es político = he is a politician presidentemA2 president fue presidente de Chile = he was a president of Chile profeA2 teacher es profe = he/she is a teacher secretariafA2 secretary es secretaria = she is a secretary secretariomA2 secretary es secretario = he is a secretary soldadomA2 soldier es soldado = he is a soldier activistaB1 activist es activista = she is an activist agricultormB1 farmer es agricultor = he is a farmer arqueromB1 goalkeeper es arquero = he is a goalkeeper (Latin America) asistentemB1 assistant es asistente = he/she is an assistant astronautaB1 astronaut es astronauta = he/she is an astronaut atletaB1 athlete es atleta = he/she is an athlete ayudanteB1 assistant es ayudante de cocina = he/she is a kitchen assistant barberomB1 barber es barbero = he is a barber barmanB1 bartender es barman = he is a bartender boxeadormB1 boxer es boxeador = he is a boxer boxeadorafB1 boxer es boxeadora = she is a boxer camioneromB1 truck driver es camionero = he is a truck driver cantinerafB1 bartender es cantinera = she is a bartender cantineromB1 bartender es cantinero = he is a bartender carnicerafB1 butcher es carnicera = she is a butcher carniceromB1 butcher es carnicero = he is a butcher carpinteromB1 carpenter es carpintero = he is a carpenter carterafB1 postman es cartera = she is a postwoman carteromB1 postman es cartero = he is a postman católicomB1 Catholic es católico = he is a Catholic cazadormB1 hunter es cazador = he is a hunter chóferB1 driver es chófer = he/she is a driver cocinerafB1 cook es cocinera = she is a cook cocinera jefafB1 chef es cocinera jefa = she is a head chef cocineromB1 cook es cocinero = he is a cook cocinero jefemB1 chef es cocinero jefe = he is a head chef comercianteB1 merchant es comerciante = he/she is a merchant conductor de camiónmB1 truck driver es conductor de camiones = he is a truck driver contableB1 accountant es contable = he/she is an accountant (Spain) contadormB1 accountant es contador = he is an accountant contadorafB1 accountant es contadora = she is an accountant curamB1 priest es cura = he is a priest directormB1 principal es director de un colegio = he is a school principal directormB1 manager es director de una empresa = he is a company manager directorafB1 principal es directora de un instituto = she is a high school principal directorafB1 manager es directora de un banco = she is a bank manager economistaB1 economist es economista = he/she is an economist entrenadormB1 coach es entrenador = he is a coach entrenadorafB1 coach es entrenadora = she is a coach espíaB1 spy era espía = he/she was a spy farmacéuticafB1 pharmacist es farmacéutica = she is a pharmacist farmacéuticomB1 pharmacist es farmacéutico = he is a pharmacist físicafB1 physicist es física = she is a physicist físicomB1 physicist es físico = he is a physicist fontaneromB1 plumber es fontanero = he is a plumber (Spain) futbolistaB1 footballer es futbolista = he/she is a footballer gerenteB1 manager es gerente = he/she is a manager historiadormB1 historian es historiador = he is a historian historiadorafB1 historian es historiadora = she is a historian jefa de cocinafB1 chef es jefa de cocina = she is a head chef jefe de cocinamB1 chef es jefe de cocina = he is a head chef judíafB1 Jew es judía = she is a Jew judíomB1 Jew es judío = he is a Jew jugador de fútbolmB1 footballer es jugador de fútbol = he is a football player marineromB1 sailor era marinero = he was a sailor mecánicafB1 mechanic es mecánica = she is a mechanic mecánicomB1 mechanic es mecánico = he is a mechanic médica de cabecerafB1 general practitioner es médica de cabecera = she is a GP médica generalfB1 general practitioner es médica general = she is a general practitioner médico de cabeceramB1 general practitioner es médico de cabecera = he is a GP médico generalmB1 general practitioner es médico general = he is a general practitioner mensajerafB1 messenger es mensajera = she is a messenger mensajeromB1 messenger es mensajero = he is a messenger negocianteB1 businessman es negociante = he/she is a businessman niñerafB1 babysitter es niñera = she is a babysitter niñeromB1 babysitter es niñero = he is a babysitter pastormB1 shepherd es pastor = he is a shepherd pastorafB1 shepherd es pastora = she is a shepherd pescadormB1 fisherman es pescador = he is a fisherman pescadorafB1 fisherman es pescadora = she is a fisherman pianistaB1 pianist es pianista = he/she is a pianist plomeromB1 plumber es plomero = he is a plumber porteromB1 goalkeeper es portero del equipo = he is a team goalkeeper presentadormB1 presenter es presentador de televisión = he is a TV presenter presentadorafB1 presenter es presentadora = she is a TV host primer ministromB1 prime minister fue primer ministro = he was a prime minister químicafB1 chemist es química = she is a chemist químicomB1 chemist es químico = he is a chemist recepcionistaB1 receptionist es recepcionista = he/she is a receptionist reporterafB1 reporter es reportera = she is a reporter reporteromB1 reporter es reportero = he is a reporter sacerdotemB1 priest es sacerdote = he is a priest vendedormB1 seller es vendedor = he is a salesman vendedorafB1 seller es vendedora = she is a seller veterinariafB1 vet es veterinaria = she is a vet veterinariomB1 vet es veterinario = he is a vet acróbataB2 acrobat es acróbata = he/she is an acrobat adivinafB2 fortune teller es adivina = she is a fortune teller adivinomB2 fortune teller es adivino = he is a fortune teller administradormB2 manager es administrador = he is a manager administradorafB2 manager es administradora = she is a manager aeromozafB2 flight attendant es aeromoza = she is a flight attendant aeromozomB2 flight attendant es aeromozo = he is a flight attendant agente de bolsaB2 broker es agente de bolsa = he/she is a stockbroker albañilmB2 bricklayer es albañil = he/she is a bricklayer alcaldemB2 mayor es alcalde de Sevilla = he is a mayor of Seville alcaldesafB2 mayor es alcaldesa = she is a mayor ama de casafB2 housewife es ama de casa = she is a housewife analistaB2 analyst es analista = he/she is an analyst árbitromB2 referee es árbitro = he is a referee arqueólogafB2 archaeologist es arqueóloga = she is an archaeologist arqueólogomB2 archaeologist es arqueólogo = he is an archaeologist asesormB2 advisor es asesor fiscal = he is a tax advisor asesor financieromB2 financial advisor es asesor financiero = he is a financial advisor asesorafB2 advisor es asesora = she is an advisor asesora financierafB2 financial advisor es asesora financiera = she is a financial advisor astrónomafB2 astronomer es astrónoma = she is an astronomer astrónomomB2 astronomer es astrónomo = he is an astronomer ateafB2 atheist es atea = she is an atheist ateomB2 atheist es ateo = he is an atheist auxiliarB2 assistant es auxiliar de enfermería = he/she is a nursing assistant auxiliar de vueloB2 flight attendant es auxiliar de vuelo = he/she is a flight attendant azafatafB2 flight attendant es azafata = she is a flight attendant azafatomB2 flight attendant es azafato = he is a flight attendant bailarinafB2 ballerina es bailarina = she is a ballerina banquerafB2 banker es banquera = she is a banker banqueromB2 banker es banquero = he is a banker bibliotecariafB2 librarian es bibliotecaria = she is a librarian bibliotecariomB2 librarian es bibliotecario = he is a librarian biólogafB2 biologist es bióloga = she is a biologist biólogomB2 biologist es biólogo = he is a biologist candidatafB2 candidate es candidata = she is a candidate candidatomB2 candidate es candidato a alcalde = he is a candidate for mayor canguromB2 babysitter soy canguro = I am a babysitter (Spain) cardenalmB2 cardinal es cardenal = he is a cardinal cerrajerafB2 locksmith es cerrajera = she is a locksmith cerrajeromB2 locksmith es cerrajero = he is a locksmith cineastaB2 director es cineasta = he/she is a filmmaker cirujanafB2 surgeon es cirujana = she is a surgeon cirujanomB2 surgeon es cirujano = he is a surgeon comedianteB2 comedian es comediante = he/she is a comedian cómicafB2 comedian es cómica = she is a comedian cómicomB2 comedian es cómico = he is a comedian compositormB2 composer es compositor = he is a composer consejerafB2 advisor es consejera = she is an advisor consejeromB2 advisor es consejero = he is an advisor consultor financieromB2 financial advisor es consultor financiero = he is a financial advisor consultora financierafB2 financial advisor es consultora financiera = she is a financial advisor corredor de bolsamB2 broker es corredor de bolsa = he is a stockbroker corredora de bolsafB2 broker es corredora de bolsa = she is a stockbroker cosmonautaB2 astronaut era cosmonauta = he/she was a cosmonaut costurerafB2 seamstress es costurera = she is a seamstress críticafB2 critic es crítica de arte = she is an art critic críticomB2 critic es crítico de cine = he is a film critic detective privadafB2 private investigator es detective privada = she is a private investigator detective privadomB2 private investigator es detective privado = he is a private investigator diplomáticafB2 diplomat es diplomática = she is a diplomat diplomáticomB2 diplomat es diplomático = he is a diplomat diseñador de modamB2 fashion designer es diseñador de moda = he is a fashion designer diseñadora de modafB2 fashion designer es diseñadora de moda = she is a fashion designer docenteB2 teacher es docente = he/she is a teacher embajadormB2 ambassador es embajador = he is an ambassador embajadorafB2 ambassador es embajadora = she is an ambassador emperadormB2 emperor fue emperador = he was an emperor emperatrizfB2 empress fue emperatriz = she was an empress emprendedormB2 entrepreneur soy emprendedor = I am an entrepreneur emprendedorafB2 entrepreneur es emprendedora = she is an entrepreneur empresariafB2 entrepreneur es empresaria = she is an entrepreneur empresariomB2 entrepreneur soy empresario = I am an entrepreneur encargadafB2 supervisor es encargada = she is a supervisor encargadomB2 supervisor es encargado = he is a supervisor escoltaB2 bodyguard es escolta = he/she is a bodyguard escultormB2 sculptor es escultor = he is a sculptor escultorafB2 sculptor es escultora = she is a sculptor exploradormB2 explorer fue explorador = he was an explorer exploradorafB2 explorer fue exploradora = she was an explorer fabricanteB2 producer es fabricante de muebles = he is a furniture producer faraónmB2 pharaoh fue faraón de Egipto = he was a pharaoh of Egypt filósofafB2 philosopher es filósofa = she is a philosopher filósofomB2 philosopher era filósofo = he was a philosopher floristaB2 florist es florista = he/she is a florist gasfiteromB2 plumber es gasfitero = he is a plumber (Peru, Chile) guardaespaldasB2 bodyguard es guardaespaldas = he/she is a bodyguard guardametaB2 goalkeeper es guardameta = he/she is a goalkeeper guardavidasB2 lifeguard es guardavidas = he/she is a lifeguard guardia de seguridadB2 security guard es guardia de seguridad = he/she is a security guard guitarristaB2 guitarist soy guitarrista = I am a guitarist herreromB2 blacksmith era herrero = he was a blacksmith humoristaB2 comedian es humorista = he/she is a comedian intérpreteB2 interpreter es intérprete = he/she is an interpreter inventormB2 inventor es inventor = he is an inventor inventorafB2 inventor es inventora = she is an inventor investigador privadomB2 private investigator es investigador privado = he is a private investigator investigadora privadafB2 private investigator es investigadora privada = she is a private investigator jardinerafB2 gardener es jardinera = she is a gardener jardineromB2 gardener es jardinero = he is a gardener leñadormB2 lumberjack era leñador = he was a lumberjack lingüistaB2 linguist es lingüista = he/she is a linguist malabaristaB2 juggler es malabarista = he/she is a juggler maquilladormB2 makeup artist es maquillador = he is a makeup artist maquilladorafB2 makeup artist es maquilladora = she is a makeup artist mercadermB2 merchant era mercader = he was a merchant militanteB2 activist es militante del partido = he/she is a party activist minerafB2 miner es minera = she is a miner mineromB2 miner es minero = he is a miner ministromB2 minister es ministro de Sanidad = he is a minister of health modistaB2 seamstress es modista = he/she is a seamstress monjemB2 monk es monje = he is a monk obispomB2 bishop es obispo = he is a bishop pastormB2 pastor es pastor = he is a pastor predicadormB2 preacher es predicador = he is a preacher productormB2 producer es productor de cine = he is a film producer productorafB2 producer es productora = she is a producer protestanteB2 Protestant es protestante = he/she is a Protestant psicólogafB2 psychologist soy psicóloga = I am a psychologist psicólogomB2 psychologist es psicólogo = he is a psychologist referíB2 referee es referí = he/she is a referee salvavidasB2 lifeguard es salvavidas = he/she is a lifeguard sastreB2 tailor es sastre = he is a tailor socorristaB2 lifeguard es socorrista = he/she is a lifeguard supervisormB2 supervisor es supervisor = he is a supervisor supervisorafB2 supervisor es supervisora = she is a supervisor traductormB2 translator es traductor = he is a translator vascomB2 Basque es vasco = he is a Basque videnteB2 fortune teller es vidente = he/she is a fortune teller violinistaB2 violinist es violinista = he/she is a violinist abadmC1 abbot es abad del monasterio = he is an abbot of the monastery agente inmobiliariafC1 realtor es agente inmobiliaria = she is a real estate agent agente inmobiliariomC1 realtor es agente inmobiliario = he is a real estate agent aprendizmC1 intern es aprendiz = he/she is an intern arzobispomC1 archbishop es arzobispo de Toledo = he is an archbishop of Toledo bailarín folclóricomC1 folk dancer es bailarín folclórico = he is a folk dancer bailarina folclóricafC1 folk dancer es bailarina folclórica = she is a folk dancer bateríaC1 drummer es batería en un grupo = he/she is a drummer in a band bateristaC1 drummer es baterista = he/she is a drummer (Latin America) becariomC1 intern soy becario = I am an intern cantautormC1 singer-songwriter es cantautor = he is a singer-songwriter cantautorafC1 singer-songwriter es cantautora = she is a singer-songwriter capatazmC1 foreman es capataz = he is a foreman capatazafC1 foreman es capataza = she is a foreman carceleromC1 prison guard es carcelero = he is a prison guard comisariafC1 curator es comisaria de la exposición = she is a curator comisariomC1 curator es comisario de la exposición = he is a curator corredor de larga distanciamC1 long-distance runner es corredor de larga distancia = he is a long-distance runner corredora de larga distanciafC1 long-distance runner es corredora de larga distancia = she is a long-distance runner crítica cinematográficafC1 film critic es crítica cinematográfica = she is a film critic crítica de cinefC1 film critic es crítica de cine = she is a film critic crítico cinematográficomC1 film critic es crítico cinematográfico = he is a film critic crítico de cinemC1 film critic es crítico de cine = he is a film critic curadormC1 curator es curador del museo = he is a curator of the museum curadorafC1 curator es curadora del museo = she is a curator of the museum desarrolladormC1 programmer es desarrollador = he is a software developer desarrolladorafC1 programmer es desarrolladora = she is a software developer director de fotografíamC1 cinematographer es director de fotografía = he is a cinematographer directora de fotografíafC1 cinematographer es directora de fotografía = she is a cinematographer dramaturgafC1 playwright es dramaturga = she is a playwright dramaturgomC1 playwright es dramaturgo = he is a playwright exportadormC1 exporter es exportador de aceite = he is an oil exporter exportadorafC1 exporter es exportadora de fruta = she is a fruit exporter fondistaC1 long-distance runner es fondista = he/she is a long-distance runner gobernadormC1 governor es gobernador = he is a governor gobernadorafC1 governor es gobernadora = she is a governor guardia de prisiónC1 prison guard es guardia de prisión = he/she is a prison guard guionistaC1 screenwriter es guionista = he/she is a screenwriter importadormC1 importer es importador de vino = he is a wine importer importadorafC1 importer es importadora de café = she is a coffee importer joyerafC1 jeweler es joyera = she is a jeweler joyeromC1 jeweler es joyero = he is a jeweler modistaC1 fashion designer es modista = he/she is a fashion designer modistomC1 fashion designer es modisto = he is a fashion designer monjafC1 nun es monja = she is a nun mormónmC1 Mormon es mormón = he is a Mormon paganafC1 pagan era pagana = she was a pagan paganomC1 pagan era pagano = he was a pagan pasanteC1 intern es pasante = he/she is an intern portavozC1 spokesperson es portavoz del Gobierno = he/she is a government spokesperson practicanteC1 intern es practicante = he/she is an intern programadormC1 programmer soy programador = I am a programmer programadorafC1 programmer es programadora = she is a programmer psiquiatraC1 psychiatrist es psiquiatra = he/she is a psychiatrist supervisormC1 foreman es supervisor = he is a foreman supervisorafC1 foreman es supervisora = she is a foreman voceromC1 spokesperson es vocero = he is a spokesperson comadronafC2 midwife es comadrona = she is a midwife delanteromC2 forward es delantero = he is a striker deshollinadormC2 chimney sweep era deshollinador = he was a chimney sweep equilibristaC2 tightrope walker es equilibrista = he/she is a tightrope walker funámbulafC2 tightrope walker es funámbula = she is a tightrope walker funambulistaC2 tightrope walker es funambulista = he/she is a tightrope walker funámbulomC2 tightrope walker es funámbulo = he is a tightrope walker jefe de redacciónmC2 editor in chief es jefe de redacción = he is an editor in chief limpiachimeneasC2 chimney sweep es limpiachimeneas = he/she is a chimney sweep marionetistaC2 puppeteer es marionetista = he/she is a puppeteer parterafC2 midwife es partera = she is a midwife pitonisafC2 fortune teller es pitonisa = she is a fortune teller redactor jefemC2 editor in chief es redactor jefe = he is an editor in chief senadormC2 senator es senador = he is a senator senadorafC2 senator es senadora = she is a senator sepultureromC2 gravedigger es sepulturero = he is a gravedigger titiriterafC2 puppeteer es titiritera = she is a puppeteer titiriteromC2 puppeteer es titiritero = he is a puppeteer
Talking about jobs

To talk about a person's job, you simply use a form of the verb ser followed immediately by the profession. There is no need for an equivalent to the English words a or an.

Yo soy estudiante de español.
(I am a Spanish student.)
Mi hermana es abogada.
(My sister is a lawyer.)

This rule applies to any occupation, from médico to ingeniero to actor. You are treating the profession almost like an adjective that describes the person, rather than a separate noun.

Mi hermano es ingeniero.
(My brother is an engineer.)
Javier es actor.
(Javier is an actor.)

This rule applies to plural sentences as well. When talking about a group of people, you drop the plural articles unos or unas.

Mis padres son profesores.
(My parents are teachers.)
Religions and belief systems

The exact same structure applies when classifying someone by their religion or belief system. Words like católico, judío, or ateo follow the verb ser without any article in between.

La familia de María es católica.
(Maria's family is Catholic.)
Mi mejor amigo es ateo.
(My best friend is an atheist.)
When to use the article

There is one major exception to this rule. If you add a descriptive adjective to the profession or religion, the article comes back. You need un or una when you want to highlight a specific quality, rather than just stating a neutral fact.

For example, you drop the article to say someone is a journalist using periodista. But if you want to say they are a famous journalist, the extra description means you must include the article.

Ana es periodista.
(Ana is a journalist.)
Ana es una periodista famosa.
(Ana is a famous journalist.)

This makes sense if you think about it. Saying someone is a student is a basic category. Saying someone is an excellent student singles them out as a unique individual.

Pedro es un estudiante excelente.
(Pedro is an excellent student.)

Similarly, if you are pointing someone out emphatically to contrast them with someone else, you might also use the article, though the descriptive adjective rule is the most common trap for learners.

Summary

When stating a person's profession or religion using the verb ser, do not use un or una. Simply say the verb followed by the word, unless you are adding an adjective to describe them further.