Not using un, una when giving people's professions in Spanish (zero article)

Talking about professions

We don't use the indefinite article un, una when talking about professions in Spanish.

Read and listen to these examples:

Yo soy profesor.I am a teacher.

eres peluquera.You are a hairdresser.

Pablo es panadero.Pablo is a baker.

Marina es jardinera.Marina is a gardener.

Notice that we literally say:

Yo soy carnicera.I am a butcher.

Also note that most of the time the job titles are different for men and women. Here is a list of ordinary professions.

However, if you are giving extra information adding a quality adjective, you always need article "un/una" in front:

Yo soy un mecánico bueno.I am a good mechanic.

Elisa es una cocinera mala.Elisa is a bad cook.

See also Artículo cero o ausencia de artículo and Artículo

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Examples and resources

Yo soy profesor.I am a teacher.
eres peluquera.You are a hairdresser.
Marina es jardinera.Marina is a gardener.
Yo soy un mecánico bueno.I am a good mechanic.
Elisa es una cocinera mala.Elisa is a bad cook.
Pablo es panadero.Pablo is a baker.
Yo soy carnicera.I am a butcher.
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