los
/lohs/
Here, 'los' acts like 'the' to point out specific masculine, plural things, like 'los libros' (the books).
los (Article)
📝 In Action
Los niños juegan en el parque.
A1The children are playing in the park.
¿Dónde están los libros?
A1Where are the books?
Me gustan los perros grandes.
A1I like big dogs.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural 'The'
'Los' is the Spanish word for 'the' when you're talking about more than one masculine thing. For example, 'el libro' (the book) becomes 'los libros' (the books).
Talking About General Groups
You also use 'los' to talk about a whole category of things in general. For example, 'Los perros son leales' means 'Dogs are loyal'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'los' with feminine words
Mistake: "Me gustan *los* casas."
Correction: Say 'Me gustan las casas.' 'Casa' is a feminine word, so it needs the feminine plural 'las', not 'los'.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Four 'The's
Think of 'los' as part of a team of four words for 'the': 'el' (singular, masculine), 'la' (singular, feminine), 'los' (plural, masculine), and 'las' (plural, feminine).
Here, 'los' replaces the books and means 'them'. For example, 'I see the books' becomes 'I see them' ('Los veo').
los (Pronoun)
📝 In Action
¿Ves los coches? Sí, los veo.
A2Do you see the cars? Yes, I see them.
Tengo dos boletos. ¿Los quieres?
A2I have two tickets. Do you want them?
A mis amigos, los llamo cada semana.
B1My friends, I call them every week.
Buenos días, señores. ¿Puedo ayudarlos?
B1Good morning, gentlemen. Can I help you (all)?
💡 Grammar Points
Replacing Nouns
Use 'los' to replace masculine plural nouns that receive an action. Instead of saying 'I read the books' ('Leo los libros'), you can say 'I read them' ('Los leo').
Where to Put 'Los'
'Los' usually goes right before the action word (the verb). For example, 'Los compro' (I buy them). It can also get attached to the end of an infinitive verb, like 'Quiero comprarlos' (I want to buy them).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'los' and 'les'
Mistake: "A mis amigos, *les* veo en el parque."
Correction: Use 'A mis amigos, los veo en el parque.' You use 'los' for people/things that directly get the action (I see *them*). You use 'les' for people who receive something indirectly (I give a gift *to them*).
⭐ Usage Tips
Also means 'You' (plural)
In Latin America and formal situations in Spain, 'los' is also used to mean 'you' when talking to a group of men or a mixed group. For example, 'Los voy a llamar' can mean 'I am going to call them' or 'I am going to call you (all)'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: los
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'los' to mean 'them'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'los' and 'les'?
It's a common point of confusion! Use 'los' when it means 'them' and it's the thing directly receiving the action (e.g., 'I see them' -> 'Los veo'). Use 'les' when it means 'to them' or 'for them' (e.g., 'I give the book to them' -> 'Les doy el libro').
How do I know whether to use 'los' or 'las'?
'Los' is for groups of masculine things (los libros) or mixed groups of people (los amigos - male and female friends). 'Las' is only for groups of feminine things (las mesas) or groups of all-female people (las amigas).
Can 'los' mean 'you'?
Yes! When speaking to a group of people formally (or just normally in Latin America), 'los' can mean 'you all'. For example, a hotel receptionist might ask a group of men, '¿Puedo ayudarlos?' meaning 'Can I help you?'.