Articles II
Introduction/Review
Definite articles (el, la, los, las) mean “the.” Indefinite articles (un, una, unos, unas) mean “a/an” or “some,” depending on whether the noun is singular or plural.
Talking about people
When you are talking directly to someone, you do not need any article.
Examples:
Hola, señor Llosa. ¿Cómo está usted? (Hello, Mr. Llosa. How are you?)
Señora Márquez, tengo una pregunta. (Mrs. Márquez, I have a question.)
However, when you are talking about someone with a title (señor, señora, señorita, presidente, doctor(a) etc.), you do need to use the definite article before his or her name.
Examples:
El señor Jaime siempre come pan con queso. (Mr. Jaime always eats bread with cheese.)
La oficina de la doctora Martínez está cerrada. (The office of Dr. Martínez is closed.)
El presidente Obama es un hombre alto. (President Obama is a tall man.)
Articles with general nouns
The use of the definite article in Spanish is often very confusing for English-speakers, because in Spanish the definite article is required before general nouns, while it is not in English. Here are some examples of different groups of general nouns and how the use of the article is different in English and in Spanish.
The definite article with abstract ideas
Examples:
La fe es muy importante. (Faith is very importante.)
La justicia is difícil de alcanzar. (Justice is difficult to achieve.)
The definite article with groups
Examples:
La rana puede nadar. (The frog [as in the entire category of animal called frog] can swim.)
Los hispanohablantes son inteligentes. (Spanish-speakers are intelligent.)
Other general nouns
Examples:
El algodón es útil. (Cotton is useful.)
El agua es buena para la salud. (Water is good for the health.)
Practice
Next topics:
Definite articles are required before titles when you are not speaking directly to the person in question.
For general nouns, definite articles are needed in the following scenarios:
1. abstract ideas (la fe, la justicia, la verdad, etc.)
2. groups (los chicos, el pájaro, las montañas, etc.)
3. other general nouns (la lana, la madera, la sal, etc.)
Practice...
Quick reference:
Related topics:
Spanish I:
1. Direct object pronouns I/II
2. Gustar I/II: Verbs like gustar
4. Articles I
Spanish II:
1. Direct object pronouns I/II
2. Reflexive pronouns/verbs II
Spanish III:
