Definite and Indefinite Articles


Definite Articles in Spanish are the words used for the English word �THE�

There are four words in Spanish for the word �THE�.  They are as follows:


el - used to say �the� before a masculine, singular noun
Ex.:  the boy / el chico, the car / el coche, the cat / el gato

la - used to say �the� before a feminine, singular noun
Ex.:  the house / la casa, the cup / la taza, the star / la estrella

los - used to say �the� before a masculine, plural noun
Ex.:  the boys / los chicos, the cars / los coches, the cats / los gatos

las - used to say �the� before a feminine, plural noun
Ex.:  the houses / las casas, the cups / las tazas, the stars / las estrellas



Indefinite articles in Spanish are the English words for : �a�, �an�, �some�, �a few�


un - used to say �a� or �an� before a masculine, singular noun
Ex.:  a man / un hombre, an ornament / un adorno, a hat / un sombrero

una - used to say �a� or �an� before a feminine, singular noun
Ex.:  a girl / una chica, an activity / una actividad, an apple /una manzana

unos - used to say �some� or �a few�  before a masculine, plural noun
Ex.:  some books / unos libros, a few workbooks / unos cuadernos

unas - used to say �some� or �a few� before a feminine, plural noun
Ex.:  some paintings / unas pinturas, a few spiders / unas ara�as



Definite and indefinite articles work like adjectives in Spanish.  The must agree with the noun they modify in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine or feminine).

When learning new vocabulary, especially in textbooks, all the nouns are usually given with a definite or indefinite article in front of them.  This is only done to help you learn whether the noun is masculine or feminine

Just because you may find them in front of a noun in your vocabulary sections, that does not mean they are required to be used all the time.  Only use them when you want to say "the", "a", "an", "some" or "a few".
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