Definite and Indefinite Articlesp. 54-55• The term “definite article “ is the name we

give to the word “the” in English. It points to a specific object or thing.

• In Spanish, there are different words to mean “the “ based on whether the noun being specified is masculine or feminine, singular or plural.

Use of definite articles:

NounNoun

Chico/boyChico/boyDef. ArtDef. Art. .

ElElMasc./Fem.Masc./Fem.

masculinemasculine Sing./PluralSing./Plural

SingularSingular

Chicos/boysChicos/boys LosLos MasculineMasculine PluralPlural

Chica/girlChica/girl LaLa FeminineFeminine SingularSingular

Chicas/girlsChicas/girls LasLas FeminineFeminine pluralplural

NounNoun

Chico/boyChico/boyDef. ArtDef. Art. .

ElElMasc./Fem.Masc./Fem.

masculinemasculine Sing./PluralSing./Plural

SingularSingular

Chicos/boysChicos/boys LosLos MasculineMasculine PluralPlural

Chica/girlChica/girl LaLa FeminineFeminine SingularSingular

Chicas/girlsChicas/girls LasLas FeminineFeminine pluralplural

Indefinite articles

An indefinite article is the name we give to the words “a”, “an” or “some” in English. It points to an unspecified thing.

Ex. A girl caught the ball.

Using indefinite articles:

NounNoun

Chico/boyChico/boy

Indef. Art.Indef. Art.

UnUn

Masc. Fem.Masc. Fem.

MasculineMasculine

Sing./ Pl.Sing./ Pl.

singularsingular

Chicos/boysChicos/boys UnosUnos MasculineMasculine PluralPlural

Chica/girlChica/girl UnaUna FeminineFeminine SingularSingular

Chicas/girlsChicas/girls UnasUnas FeminineFeminine pluralplural

Examples :

• Las plumas – the pens• La pluma – the pen

• Notice that we don’t change our translation. It’s like matching a puzzle!

• Un escritorio – a desk• Unos escritorios – some desks

• Here we do change the meaning of the word by changing the article.