Definite Articles
Definite articles specify a particular noun that is known to the listener or reader. In English, the definite article is always the, while other languages have forms that agree in gender and number.
Definite Articles
The definite article marks a specific noun that both speaker and listener identify. English uses the for all genders and numbers.
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Usage
Use the definite article when referring to something particular, when a noun has been mentioned before, or when the noun is unique in context. Do not use it with general plural or uncountable nouns when speaking about things in general.
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Examples
| English Example | Spanish Example | French Example | German Example | Italian Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The book is on the table. | 📘 El libro está sobre la mesa. | 📗 Le livre est sur la table. | 📕 Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. | 📙 Il libro è sul tavolo. |
| I saw the dog in the park. | 🐕 Vi al perro en el parque. | 🐩 J’ai vu le chien au parc. | 🐶 Ich habe den Hund im Park gesehen. | 🐕 Ho visto il cane nel parco. |
| The children are playing outside. | 👧 Los niños están jugando afuera. | 👦 Les enfants jouent dehors. | 👶 Die Kinder spielen draußen. | 👧 I bambini stanno giocando fuori. |
| She closed the door. | 🚪 Ella cerró la puerta. | 🚪 Elle a fermé la porte. | 🚪 Sie hat die Tür geschlossen. | 🚪 Ha chiuso la porta. |
| The sky is very clear tonight. | 🌌 El cielo está muy claro esta noche. | 🌠 Le ciel est très clair ce soir. | 🌃 Der Himmel ist heute Abend sehr klar. | 🌌 Il cielo è molto limpido stasera. |
Summary
Definite articles signal that a noun is specific and known. English simplifies this with a single form, the, while other languages mark gender and number.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025