A1 Spanish GrammarArticles (Definite & Indefinite)
Learn Spanish definite articles (el, la, los, las) and indefinite articles (un, una, unos, unas). Understand gender and number agreement with nouns, including special cases.
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1Definite Articles (el, la, los, las)
Spanish has four definite articles meaning 'the', varying by gender and number. El is masculine singular, la is feminine singular, los is masculine plural, and las is feminine plural. They must match the noun.
Definite Articles
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | el | los |
| Feminine | la | las |
Examples
El libro es interesante.
The book is interesting.
el - masculine singular
La casa es grande.
The house is big.
la - feminine singular
Los niños juegan.
The children play.
los - masculine plural
Las flores son bonitas.
The flowers are pretty.
las - feminine plural
2Indefinite Articles (un, una, unos, unas)
Indefinite articles mean 'a/an' (singular) or 'some' (plural). Like definite articles, they agree in gender and number. The plural forms (unos, unas) express 'some' or 'a few'.
Indefinite Articles
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | un | unos |
| Feminine | una | unas |
Examples
Tengo un perro.
I have a dog.
un - masculine singular
Necesito una mesa.
I need a table.
una - feminine singular
Hay unos libros aquí.
There are some books here.
unos - some (masc.)
Compré unas manzanas.
I bought some apples.
unas - some (fem.)
3Special Cases: El Agua, El Águila
Feminine nouns starting with stressed 'a' or 'ha' use EL (not la) in singular to avoid awkward pronunciation. But they remain feminine: el agua fría, not *el agua frío. Plurals use las normally.
Feminine Nouns with El
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| el agua | las aguas | water |
| el águila | las águilas | eagle |
| el alma | las almas | soul |
| el hambre | las hambres | hunger |
Examples
El agua está fría.
The water is cold.
el agua but fría (feminine)
El águila vuela alto.
The eagle flies high.
el with feminine noun
Tengo mucha hambre.
I'm very hungry.
mucha - still feminine
Las aguas del río.
The waters of the river.
plural uses las
4When to Use/Omit Articles
Spanish often uses articles where English doesn't (with general concepts, days of the week, titles). But articles are omitted with professions after ser and with unspecified amounts.
Article Usage
| Spanish | English | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Me gusta el chocolate | I like chocolate | general concept |
| El lunes voy al médico | On Monday I go to the doctor | days of week |
| Soy profesor | I am a teacher | profession after ser |
| Necesito agua | I need water | unspecified amount |
Examples
El amor es importante.
Love is important.
article with abstract noun
Los domingos descanso.
On Sundays I rest.
article with day = 'on'
Ella es médica.
She is a doctor.
no article with profession
Quiero café, por favor.
I want coffee, please.
no article = some coffee
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
Complete: '___ libro es interesante.' (The book is interesting.)
Complete: 'Tengo ___ casa grande.' (I have a big house.)
Complete: '___ flores son bonitas.' (The flowers are pretty.)
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