la
“la” means “the” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
the
📝 In Action
La casa es roja.
A1The house is red.
Quiero la manzana, por favor.
A1I want the apple, please.
La vida es bella.
A2Life is beautiful.
her, it
Also: you
📝 In Action
¿Conoces a Ana? Sí, la conozco.
A2Do you know Ana? Yes, I know her.
Compré la camisa ayer y ya la perdí.
A2I bought the shirt yesterday and I already lost it.
Señora, ¿la puedo ayudar?
B1Ma'am, can I help you?
Quiero verla mañana.
B1I want to see her tomorrow.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: la
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'la' to mean 'her' or 'it'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'illam', which was the feminine form of 'ille', meaning 'that one over there'. Over time, it shortened and its meaning shifted from 'that' to 'the'.
First recorded: Around the 10th century in early Spanish texts.
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'la' and 'el'?
'La' and 'el' both mean 'the'. You use 'la' before singular feminine nouns (la mesa - the table), and 'el' before singular masculine nouns (el libro - the book). Spanish nouns have a gender, and the article has to match!
When do I use 'la' vs. 'le'?
This is a tricky one! Use 'la' when it means 'her' or 'it' and is the direct target of an action (e.g., 'La veo' - I see her). Use 'le' when it means '(to) her' and is the indirect recipient (e.g., 'Le doy un libro' - I give a book TO her).
Why do you say 'el agua' if 'agua' is a feminine word?
Great question! It's for sound. Feminine words that start with a stressed 'a' or 'ha' sound use 'el' to prevent the two 'a' sounds from blending together ('la agua' sounds awkward). But the word is still feminine, so any descriptive words must be feminine too: 'el agua fría' (the cold water).