el
/el/
'El' is used to point out a specific masculine thing, like 'el libro' (the book).
el (Article)
📝 In Action
El perro está en el jardín.
A1The dog is in the garden.
Me gusta el color azul.
A1I like the color blue.
El lunes tengo una cita.
A2On Monday I have an appointment.
💡 Grammar Points
The Masculine 'The'
'El' is the Spanish word for 'the' that you use before a singular masculine noun (a word that Spanish treats as a 'boy' word, like 'libro' or 'coche').
Agreement is Key
In Spanish, words have to match! 'El' is used for one masculine thing. For one feminine thing, use 'la'. For multiple masculine things, use 'los'.
Special Contractions: 'al' and 'del'
When 'a' comes before 'el', they squish together to become 'al' (to the). When 'de' comes before 'el', they become 'del' (of the/from the).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'el' and 'él'
Mistake: "El es mi amigo."
Correction: 'Él es mi amigo.' Use 'él' with an accent mark to mean 'he'. 'El' without an accent means 'the'.
Gender Mismatch
Mistake: "Me gusta el casa."
Correction: 'Me gusta la casa.' 'Casa' is a feminine word, so it needs the feminine 'the', which is 'la'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Days of the Week
To say something happens 'on' a certain day of the week, you use 'el'. For example, 'el martes' means 'on Tuesday'.
You can use 'el' as a shortcut for 'the one' to avoid repeating a word you just mentioned.
el (Pronoun)
📝 In Action
¿Cuál coche prefieres? Prefiero el rojo.
A2Which car do you prefer? I prefer the red one.
Mi teléfono es viejo. El de mi hermana es nuevo.
B1My phone is old. My sister's (the one of my sister) is new.
El que no arriesga, no gana.
B1The one who doesn't risk, doesn't win.
💡 Grammar Points
A Shortcut Word
'El' can stand in for a masculine noun you've already mentioned, so you don't have to say it again. It's like saying 'the one' in English.
Common Patterns: 'el que' and 'el de'
You'll almost always see this use of 'el' followed by 'que' (that/who) or 'de' (of/from) to add more information about 'the one' you're talking about.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Omitting the Pronoun
Mistake: "No me gusta este libro, prefiero de la biblioteca."
Correction: 'No me gusta este libro, prefiero el de la biblioteca.' You need 'el' to mean 'the one' from the library.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sound More Natural
Using 'el que' and 'el de' is a great way to make your Spanish sound less repetitive and more like a native speaker's.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: el
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'el' and 'él'?
It's all about the little line on top, the accent! 'El' (no accent) means 'the' and goes before masculine nouns (el coche - the car). 'Él' (with an accent) means 'he' or 'him' and refers to a person (Él es alto - He is tall).
Why do Spanish words have 'el' or 'la'? Why can't I just say the word?
In Spanish, almost every noun has a gender, either masculine or feminine. Using 'el' or 'la' is how you show that gender. It's a fundamental part of the language, like adding 's' for plurals in English. You'll get used to it with practice!
What are 'al' and 'del'?
They are mandatory shortcuts. Instead of saying 'a el' (to the), you must squish them together to say 'al'. Instead of 'de el' (of the/from the), you must say 'del'. For example, 'Voy al cine' (I'm going to the movies), not 'a el cine'.