Definite and Indefinite Articles
Portuguese has definite articles (o/a/os/as) and indefinite articles (um/uma/uns/umas). European Portuguese uses definite articles more widely than English, including before abstract nouns and names.
PortuStories Editorial
European Portuguese Grammar Guide
| Masc sing | Fem sing | Masc pl | Fem pl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definite | o | a | os | as |
| Indefinite | um | uma | uns | umas |
The definite article is used before: abstract nouns (a liberdade, a saudade), many country names (o Brasil, a Alemanha, os Estados Unidos; but not França, Espanha, Itália or Inglaterra in EP: em França, em Espanha), names of people (o João, a Maria), and days of the week in EP.
A vida é bela.
Life is beautiful.
Abstract noun takes definite article in EP.
Na segunda-feira tenho consulta.
On Monday I have an appointment.
EP uses the definite article with days of the week.
Uns/umas convey an approximate or vague quantity: "Trouxe uns livros." (I brought some books.) This is equivalent to English "some" in the plural.
From a PortuStories Story
O Pedro foi à biblioteca na terça-feira e pediu uns livros sobre a história de Portugal.
Pedro went to the library on Tuesday and asked for some books about the history of Portugal.