LoginDefinite Articles For Intermediate learners
What Are Definite Articles?
The definite articles (artículos definidos) are used before nouns to show that they are unique, specific entities. Although English has a single word ("the") for this purpose, Spanish has four different definite articles.
Spanish Definite Articles
The definite articles agree with the gender and number of the noun they modify. Accordingly, there are four definite articles in Spanish:
Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
Masculine | el | los |
Feminine | la | las |
For example:
el libro → los libros
the book → the books
la casa → las casas
the house → the houses
Tip!
Some feminine nouns that start with a stressed "a" or "ha" sound take the masculine singular article to avoid repetition of sounds, but are still treated as feminine and take the feminine article when used as plural.
el alma → las almas
the soul → the souls
el hacha → las hachas
the ax → the axes
Uses
The Spanish definite articles are used:
With nouns that were previously mentioned and have an established identity
Compré un coche. El coche es rojo.
I bought a car. The car is red.
The first sentence establishes which car is talked about, so the second sentence uses the definite article.
Before common nouns that refer to unique entities
La luna está brillante esta noche.
The moon is bright tonight.
El mundo está evolucionando rápidamente.
The world is evolving fast.
With abstract nouns
La vida es corta.
Life is short.
El amor es ciego.
Love is blind.
When making generalizations
Me encanta la musica.
I love music.
Los padres son responsables del bienestar de sus hijos.
Parents are responsible for their child's well-being.
El español es fácil.
Spanish is easy.
With hours, dates, and days of the week
Son las ocho de la mañana.
It's eight in the morning.
The article for all hours is feminine.
Tengo una cita el 10 de diciembre.
I have an appointment on December 10th.
Los lunes voy al trabajo.
On Mondays I go to work.
Body parts and clothing
Me duele la espalda.
My back hurts.
Se quitó los zapatos.
He took off his shoes.
After titles and honorifics in third-person (except after "don," "doña," "San," "Santa")
El señor Pérez llegó.
Mr. Pérez arrived.
La profesora González llegó.
Professor Gonzalez arrived.
Comments
(0)
Recommended
