Definition
The definite article in English is the word "the." It is used to refer to a specific noun that is known to the listener or reader. Unlike indefinite articles like "a" or "an," the definite article points to something particular and identifiable.
Usage
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the speaker believes the listener knows exactly what is being referred to. It can be used with common nouns, proper nouns, superlatives, unique objects, and ordinal numbers to specify something unique or previously mentioned.
Examples
- The book on the table is mine.
- She visited the Eiffel Tower last summer.
- I saw the best movie yesterday.
Differences with Indefinite Articles
While the definite article refers to specific items, indefinite articles ("a" and "an") introduce non-specific or general nouns. For example, "I saw a dog" (any dog), versus "I saw the dog" (a particular dog known to both speaker and listener).
Use in Spanish
In Spanish, the definite article varies by gender and number: el (masculine singular), la (feminine singular), los (masculine plural), las (feminine plural). Unlike English, articles always agree with the noun in gender and number.
| English Article | Spanish Article | Example English | Example Spanish |
|---|---|---|---|
| the | el | The boy is playing. | El niño está jugando. |
| the | la | The girl is reading. | La niña está leyendo. |
| the | los | The boys are running. | Los niños están corriendo. |
| the | las | The girls are talking. | Las niñas están hablando. |
