Articles

Italian has several words for "the" and "a". The right one depends on the noun’s gender, whether it’s singular or plural, and the first letters of the word that follows. The rules are regular, and they keep Italian sounding smooth.

Definite Articles: The

The definite article means "the". It points to a specific thing, or something already mentioned. These are the four basic forms:

Use these with nouns that start with most consonants. Masculine nouns starting with a vowel or with groups like s + consonant or z use other forms, and so do feminine nouns starting with a vowel.

Lo and Gli

Masculine nouns use lo (singular) and gli (plural) instead of il and i when they start with:

• s + consonant: lo spazio, gli spazi - the space, the spaces
• z: lo zio, gli zii - the uncle, the uncles
• gn: lo gnocco, gli gnocchi - the dumpling, the dumplings
• ps: lo psicologo, gli psicologi - the psychologist, the psychologists
• x: lo xilofono - the xylophone
• y: lo yogurt - the yogurt
• pn: lo pneumatico - the tire

The ones you’ll meet most are s + consonant and z. A plain s before a vowel takes il: il sole - the sun.

L' Before a Vowel

Before a vowel, both lo and la shorten to l'. The apostrophe joins the article to the noun.

• l’amico - the friend (masculine)
• l’anno - the year (masculine)
• l’acqua - the water (feminine)
• l’idea - the idea (feminine)

In the plural, masculine nouns starting with a vowel take gli, and feminine ones take le:

• gli amici - the friends
• gli anni - the years
• le idee - the ideas

Words borrowed with a silent h work the same way: l’hotel - the hotel.

All the Forms of "The"

The article depends on the word right after it, not on the noun. So when an adjective comes first, the article can change: lo zio - the uncle, but il caro zio - the dear uncle; l’amico - the friend, but il vecchio amico - the old friend.

Indefinite Articles: A, An

The indefinite article means "a" or "an". It introduces something new or not specific.

Apostrophe or Not?

Only the feminine form takes an apostrophe. Masculine nouns starting with a vowel use plain un: un amico (a male friend), but un’amica (a female friend). The apostrophe tells you the gender.

When Italian Uses "The" and English Doesn’t

Italian uses the definite article in many places where English leaves it out.

• General statements: Amo la musica. - I love music. La vita è bella. - Life is beautiful.
• Possessives: la mia casa - my house, il tuo libro - your book. With a single family member, the article is usually dropped: mia madre - my mother.
• Titles, when you talk about someone: Il signor Rossi è qui. - Mr. Rossi is here. When you speak to the person, drop it: Buongiorno, signor Rossi.
• Countries: L’Italia è bella. - Italy is beautiful.
• Days, to mean "every": Il lunedì lavoro. - I work on Mondays. Compare Lunedì lavoro. - I’m working on Monday.

When Italian Leaves the Article Out

• Jobs after essere: Sono medico. - I’m a doctor. Lei è insegnante. - She’s a teacher. Add the article when you describe the person more: È un bravo medico. - He’s a good doctor.
• Languages after parlare: Parlo italiano. - I speak Italian.
• Some common places after a or in: Sono a casa. - I’m at home. Vado in cucina. - I’m going to the kitchen.
• After senza and many negatives: senza zucchero - without sugar; Non ho tempo. - I don’t have time.