articles

Hello everyone!
I am new here as well as to Spanish, but I've become very keen on, well at least, having a smattering of this language. I am trying to learn it on my own for now, so I believe this forum will be of great aid to me.

My first question refers to articles or to be more precise their lack. Could anybody tell me why aren't there any articles in front of "telefono", "estudiante" and "camarero"?

1. ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?
2. Tú eres estudiante.
3. Ahora está de camarero.

Thanks in advance
Best

Camilus said:

Could anybody tell me why aren't there any articles in front of "telefono", "estudiante" and "camarero"?

1. ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?
2. Tú eres estudiante.
3. Ahora está de camarero.

Thanks in advance
Best

If your native language was English this would be a bit easier. Polish doesn't have articles! Double sigh!

Here's my opinion:

1. teléfono is just part of número_de_teléfono. It's not a telephone. It's a kind of number.

2. estudiante is kind of an occupation or...classification of a person. Eres varón. Eres polaco. Eres européo. etc. That's how it works in Spanish. However, you say : "Eres un buen estudiante." "Eres el chico polaco del foro." etc.

3. Estar de + profession. Kind of like number two.
Es camarero = Está de camarero = Trabaja como camarero.