Articles: el, la, los, las; un, una, unos, unas
Words for 'the', 'a' and 'some', matching gender and number
Part of the free A0 Spanish course. Press the speaker next to an example to hear it.
An article is the small word before a noun: the or a. In English they never change. In Spanish they match the noun: masculine or feminine (Masculine and feminine nouns), singular (one) or plural (more than one).
"The": el, la, los, las
| masculine | feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| singular | el libro | la casa |
| plural | los libros | las casas |
- El perro es simpático.The dog is friendly.
- La playa es preciosa.The beach is lovely.
- Los niños son de Madrid.The children are from Madrid.
- Las casas son blancas.The houses are white.
For a mixed group, use the masculine plural: los chicos can be "the boys" or "the boys and girls". How to make plurals is in Making plurals: -s, -es, z → ces.
"A" and "some": un, una, unos, unas
| masculine | feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| singular | un hermano (a brother) | una ciudad (a city) |
| plural | unos amigos (some friends) | unas manzanas (some apples) |
- Tengo un hermano.I have a brother.
- Es una ciudad bonita.It's a pretty city.
- Son unos amigos de Juan.They're friends of Juan's.
- Quiero unas manzanas.I want some apples.
al and del
Two contractions are compulsory: a + el = al (to the) and de + el = del (of the, from the). Nothing contracts with la, los or las.
- Voy al cine.I'm going to the cinema.
- Es la casa del profesor.It's the teacher's house.
Where Spanish uses "the" and English doesn't
- General statements: Me gusta el chocolate (I like chocolate), La música es importante (Music is important).
- Talking about someone with a title: El señor López es mi vecino. But not when talking to them: Buenos días, señor López.
- Me gusta el chocolate.I like chocolate.
- El señor López es mi vecino.Mr López is my neighbour.
- Buenos días, señor López.Good morning, Mr López.
And one place where English uses "a" but Spanish doesn't: jobs after ser (Soy profesor, I'm a teacher; see Ser: soy, eres, es…).
One trap: el agua
A feminine noun that starts with a stressed a- or ha- takes el and un in the singular, to avoid two stressed a sounds running together ("la agua"). The noun is still feminine, so its adjective stays feminine, and the plural goes back to las:
- El agua del mar está fría.The sea water is cold.
Others: el aula (classroom), el hambre (hunger). In the plural: las aguas, las aulas.
Common mistakes
A el cine,de el profesor: always contract: al cine, del profesor.- Dropping el/la in general statements:
Me gusta chocolate. Say Me gusta el chocolate. - Using the article when speaking to someone:
Hola, la señora Ortega. Say Hola, señora Ortega. Soy un estudiantefor "I'm a student": jobs and roles after ser need no article.La agua: say el agua, but keep the adjective feminine: el agua fría.
Practice
- _____ gato es negro.
Show the answer
El
- _____ chicas son de Toledo.
Show the answer
Las
- _____ libros son nuevos.
Show the answer
Los
- Es _____ mesa grande.
Show the answer
una