不定冠詞a (an)與數詞one 同源，是"一個"的意思。a用于輔音音素前，一般讀作[e]，而an則用于元音音素前，一般讀做[en]。
1) 表示"一個"，意為one;指某人或某物，意為a certain。
A Mr. Ling is waiting for you.
2) 代表一類人或物。
A knife is a tool for cutting with.
Mr. Smith is an engineer.
3) 詞組或成語。
a little / a few / a lot / a type of / a pile / a great many / many a / as a rule / in a hurry / in a minute / in a word / in a short while / after a while / have a cold / have a try / keep an eye on / all of a sudden
