When using ser + profesion, do you need to use a or an?

Question

Do you need to use a or an before stating a profession?

For example, I want to say "He is a doctor." Do you say "el es medico", or "el es un medico"? Are they both correct?

He is an actor = el es actor, or el es un actor?

Answer 1

It depends, though to begin with you usually skip the "él", unless you were talking about several people and need to specifiy one in particular. Then, if you simply want to say that he is a doctor or that he's been a doctor for x years, then you don't use a determiner: "¿De qué trabaja?. Es médico". "¿Desde cuándo es médico?. Es médico desde hace 10 años".

However if you want to describe his qualities as a doctor (or any other profession) then you do need to say "un/una". eg: "¿Qué tal es como médico?. Es un médico muy bueno y muy respetado."

Answer 2

Muchisimas gracias a todos! - Lisa

Answer 3

Hi, Lisa. Welcome to the forum.

Take a look at Bill's answer for the best explanation.

I just wanted to make it clear that you don't use "un" "el" etc. when talking about professions in general. You are right when you say that it is "ser + profesion."

(yo) Soy abogada

(tú) Eres artista

(él) Es médico

(ellos) Son estudiantes

Answer 4

¡Hola, LisaQ! ¡Bienvenida al foro! Hi, LisaQ! Welcome to the forum! Here is a link to the verbs ser and estar. link text

See the section on occupation. - sanlee, Oct 11, 2010