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

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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

Pablo es panadero.Pablo is a baker.
Yo soy carnicera.I am a butcher.
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.
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