THE DEFINITE ARTICLE

 WHAT IS THE DEFINITE  ARTICLE ?

 It is simply the word “the” in English.  There are four forms in Spanish. The male and female forms     exist in both the singular and plural. El  (male singular), la (female singular),  los (male  plural) and las   (female plural).  The  definite article must agree with the noun in both gender (male or female) and   number (singular or plural).

  Examples

 La casa / las casas – the house / the houses

 Casa is female and singular therefore “the” must be female and singular.

 Casas is female and plural therefore “the” must be female and plural.

 El apartamento / los apartamentos – the apartment / the apartments.

 Apartamento is male and singular therefore “the”  must be male and singular.

 Apartamentos is male and plural therefore “the”  must be male and plural.

 Combining the definite article with “de” (of) 

 The definite article is often combined with “de”  (of). 

  In Spanish we can use, de la, de las and de los  however you should note that the male singular      form will change or contract.

 DE + EL = DEL

 De la playa, de las playas, de los supermercados, however note del supermercado.

 Combining the definite article with “a”   (to) 

 The definite article is often combined with “a”   (to). 

 In Spanish we can use, a la, a las and a los   however you should note that the male        singular  form will   change or contract.   

  A + EL = AL

  A la playa, a las playas, a los supermercados, however note al supermercado.

 Practical Exercises