Definite articles in Spanish are used to refer to specific nouns that are known to the speaker and listener. They must agree with the noun in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). Spanish has four definite articles:
- el: masculine singular
- la: feminine singular
- los: masculine plural
- las: feminine plural
Using the wrong article changes the meaning or makes the sentence incorrect.
How to Choose Articles
Use these rules to choose the correct form:
- If the noun is masculine and singular, use el.
- If the noun is feminine and singular, use la.
- If the noun is masculine and plural, use los.
- If the noun is feminine and plural, use las.
Examples
| Spanish Article + Noun | English Translation |
|---|---|
| el libro (masc. sing.) | the book |
| la casa (fem. sing.) | the house |
| los coches (masc. plural) | the cars |
| las flores (fem. plural) | the flowers |
When to Use Definite Articles
Definite articles are used in situations like these:
- Referring to something specific or already known: The article points to a particular item both speaker and listener recognize.
- Talking about general categories or things in a general sense: The article can express a whole category (e.g., “Dogs are friendly”).
- Referring to days of the week, parts of the body, or titles: Spanish uses definite articles where English often doesn’t.
- With names of countries, languages, and some geographic places: Some proper nouns include the article as part of their standard form.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Voy a leer el libro que me diste. | I’m going to read the book you gave me. |
| Los perros son amistosos. | Dogs are friendly. |
| Me duele la cabeza. | My head hurts. |
| La Argentina es un país grande. | Argentina is a large country. |
Do you use definite articles with names of countries, languages, and some geographic places in Spanish?
Yes, if it’s part of their standard form.
Some proper nouns in Spanish, like 'la Argentina,' include the definite article as part of their standard usage.
Special Cases
- Before a singular noun starting with a stressed “a” or “ha” sound, use “el” even if the noun is feminine. This is to avoid the awkward combination of two “a” sounds.
- Use “el” for singular masculine nouns and “la” for singular feminine nouns, even if the plural form is irregular (e.g., “el agua” but “las aguas”).
- In plural, always use “los” or “las” normally; the special rule only applies to singular forms.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| el agua fría | the cold water |
| el hacha vieja | the old axe |
| las aguas claras | the clear waters |
Summary
- Use el, la, los, las based on the noun’s gender and number.
- Definite articles specify a known or general category.
- Special rule: use el for singular feminine nouns starting with stressed “a” or “ha” sounds.
- Practice identifying the noun first, then choose the matching article.
How do you choose the correct article?
Identify the noun’s gender and number, then match with el, la, los, or las.
The correct article is chosen by identifying the noun’s gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) and then selecting el, la, los, or las accordingly.
Flashcards (1 of 11)
- English Translation: the book
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
