Spanish grammar
Articles
Spanish articles change to match the gender and number of the noun. Learn the words for "the" and "a", the two short forms al and del, and why we say el agua.
Every Spanish noun is masculine or feminine, and the articles change to match its gender and number. Learn the words for "the" and "a", the two short forms al and del, and why Spanish says el agua.
Definite Articles: The
The definite article is the Spanish word for "the". It points to a specific thing, or something already mentioned.
| Form | Article | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine singular | el | el libro - the book |
| Masculine plural | los | los libros - the books |
| Feminine singular | la | la casa - the house |
| Feminine plural | las | las casas - the houses |
Most nouns ending in -o are masculine and most ending in -a are feminine, but there are common exceptions, so learn each noun together with its article: el día (the day), el problema (the problem), la mano (the hand), la noche (the night).
Indefinite Articles: A, An, Some
The indefinite article means "a" or "an". It introduces something new or not specific. In the plural, unos and unas mean "some" or "a few".
| Form | Article | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine singular | un | un perro - a dog |
| Masculine plural | unos | unos amigos - some friends |
| Feminine singular | una | una idea - an idea |
| Feminine plural | unas | unas preguntas - some questions |
Al and Del
Spanish joins two very common words with el:
- a + el = al: Voy al parque. - I’m going to the park.
- de + el = del: Es el carro del jefe. - It’s the boss’s car.
This only happens with el. The other articles stay separate: a la escuela (to the school), de los niños (of the children). It also doesn’t happen with the pronoun él (he), which has an accent: Es de él. - It’s his.
El Agua: A Special Case
Some feminine nouns begin with a stressed a sound, such as agua (water) and hambre (hunger; the h is silent). Saying la agua would run two a sounds together, so in the singular these nouns take el and un instead:
- el agua - the water
- un hambre terrible - a terrible hunger
The noun is still feminine. Adjectives stay feminine, and the plural goes back to las:
- El agua está fría. - The water is cold.
- Tengo mucha hambre. - I’m very hungry.
- las aguas - the waters
This rule is only for a stressed first syllable. When the first a is not stressed, use la as usual: la amiga (the friend), la ayuda (the help).
When Spanish Uses "The" and English Doesn’t
Spanish uses the definite article in some places where English leaves it out:
- General statements: Me gusta el café. - I like coffee. La vida es difícil. - Life is hard.
- Days of the week, meaning "on": Trabajo el lunes. - I work on Monday. Trabajo los lunes. - I work on Mondays.
- Titles when talking about someone: El señor García está aquí. - Mr. García is here. When you speak directly to the person, drop it: Buenos días, señor García.
When Spanish Leaves the Article Out
Spanish leaves out "a" or "an" in some places where English needs it:
- Jobs after ser: Soy médico. - I’m a doctor. Ella es profesora. - She’s a teacher. Add un or una only when you describe the person more: Es un médico excelente. - He’s an excellent doctor.
- After tener and similar verbs, for things in general: No tengo dinero. - I don’t have (any) money. ¿Tienes carro? - Do you have a car?