Definite Articles

01

Gender and Number

There are four forms of the definite article, corresponding to the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun.

• el is used for singular, masculine nouns.

• El libro está sobre la mesa.

  The book is on the table.

• Compré el carro rojo.

  I bought the red car.

• la is used for singular, feminine nouns.

• La película empieza a las ocho.

  The movie starts at eight.

• ¿Dónde está la estación de metro?

  Where is the subway station?

• los is used for plural, masculine nouns. It is also used for mixed-gender groups of people or animals.

• Los zapatos son nuevos.

  The shoes are new.

• Los estudiantes llegaron temprano.

  The students (male or mixed group) arrived early.

• las is used for plural, feminine nouns.

• Las casas de esa calle son muy antiguas.

  The houses on that street are very old.

• Las niñas están en el parque.

  The girls are in the park.

02

The Neuter Article 'Lo'

The form lo is a special neuter article. It is never used directly before a noun. Instead, it is placed before an adjective to turn it into an abstract concept, similar to saying "the ... thing" or "the ... part" in English.

• Lo mejor fue el postre.

  The best part was the dessert.

• Lo importante es que estás aquí.

  The important thing is that you are here.

• No me gustó lo que dijo.

  I didn't like what he said.

03

Contractions: 'al' and 'del'

When the prepositions a (to) and de (of/from) appear directly before the masculine singular article el, they must combine to form a single word.

a + el = al

• Vamos al mercado los domingos.

  We go to the market on Sundays.

• Le voy a preguntar al maestro.

  I'm going to ask the teacher.

de + el = del

• Es la bicicleta del vecino.

  It's the neighbor's bicycle.

• El sabor del platillo es excelente.

  The flavor of the dish is excellent.

These contractions do not occur with the feminine or plural articles la, los, or las.

• Voy a la oficina.

  I'm going to the office.

• Es el fin de las vacaciones.

  It's the end of the vacation.

04

Special Case: 'El' with Feminine Nouns

To improve pronunciation, the masculine article el is used instead of la before a singular feminine noun that begins with a stressed "a-" or "ha-" sound. This avoids having two "a" sounds run together.

• El agua está fría.

  The water is cold.

• El águila vuela muy alto.

  The eagle flies very high.

Even though el is used, the noun itself remains feminine. Any adjectives describing it must also be in their feminine form.

• Es el alma gemela que buscaba.

  She is the soulmate I was looking for.

In the plural, the article returns to the standard feminine form, las.

• Las aguas de este río son cristalinas.

  The waters of this river are crystal clear.

05

When to Use Definite Articles

Definite articles are used more frequently than in English. They are required in several situations where English omits them.

For Generalizations

Use the definite article when speaking about nouns as a general category or concept.

• El chocolate es delicioso.

  Chocolate is delicious.

• La paciencia es una virtud.

  Patience is a virtue.

With Days of the Week

To express that an action happens regularly on a certain day, use the definite article.

• Trabajo los lunes.

  I work on Mondays.

• La tienda no abre los domingos.

  The store doesn't open on Sundays.

With Titles

Use the definite article when talking about someone with a professional or social title. Do not use it when addressing them directly.

• El señor Martínez vive aquí.

  Mr. Martínez lives here.

• Buenos días, señor Martínez.

  Good morning, Mr. Martínez.