When To Use Indefinite Articles?

Question

I'm a little confused as to when indefinite articles are necessary. I am in lesson 1.4 and it seems random. You say "come sandía" and "bebe leche" but "come una manzana" and "come una naranja." Is there a rule for when the indefinite article is required?

Thanks, Kyle

Answer 1

Bebe una leche would be "Drink one milk", but "leche" and "milk" are uncountable words, so it would be plain wrong. "Come sandía" would be "Eat some watermelon", but "Cómete una sandía" would be "Eat a (whole) watermelon". Well, if you are that hungry...

In any case, "Come una manzana/naranja" are rare sentences in many countries, where natives would have said "Cómete una manzana/naranja". For some natives, the sentences even sound wrong without that "se".

Answer 2

Well if you think about it we say the same thing in English. I am using he as an example. he eats watermelon, he drinks milk, but he eats AN apple, he eats AN orange. Where is the rule in English? To be honest I don´t know. Is it something we just have to learn?