RECAP - Definite article = THE
In Spanish there are four = EL
LA LOS LAS
Nouns can be SINGULAR or PLURAL...The article you place in front of the noun must match!!
Let's learn how we're going to use each one of these and when!
* * * * * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Las Reglas - Feminine nouns
1.We use “la” for words that end in: -a… la silla (the chair) -ión …. la canción (the song) -dad … la actividad (the activity)
Ejemplos:
- la canción
- la silla
- la carpeta
- la bandera
* * * * * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Okay, fine. But have you thought to yourself..."Wait! These objects are not girls. They're not even living things! How can they be feminine?!?"
SO - many times, the object to which one refers is inanimate. (non-living) (ex) the table = la mesa
*Clearly, "the table" or any table for that matter is a non-living object.
However, in Spanish, they do assign a gender. In this case, mesa is feminine! * * * * * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Las Reglas - Masculine nouns
2. We use “el” for words that end in:
-o… el libro (the book)
-a letter other than “o” or “a” …el pupitre (the student desk)
… el reloj (the clock)
Ejemplos:
- el lápiz
- el marcador - el calendario
-
el teléfono
(The articles "el" and "la" are used when referring to objects that are Singular)
* * * * * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Now, if you are talking about more than one object...
Let's say - "the flags" (We call this Plural)
LAS is the PLURAL form of LA LOS is the PLURAL form of EL
Examples:the flags = las banderas
the books = los libros
So, let's consider the following based on; 1) masculine vs. feminine AND, 2) singular vs. plural