el
/el/
the
This illustrates the singular masculine article 'el', as in 'el coche' (the car).
el(Article)
the
?Used before a singular, masculine noun (a word for a male person, or a thing considered 'masculine' in Spanish).
📝 In Action
El libro está en la mesa.
A1The book is on the table.
Voy a ver a el abuelo. (Incorrect) -> Voy a ver al abuelo.
A1I'm going to see the grandfather.
El problema es complicado.
A2The problem is complicated.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine 'The'
Use el to say 'the' for a single thing that Spanish considers masculine. For example, el sol (the sun), el coche (the car).
The Magic Shortcuts: `al` and `del`
When a (to/at) comes before el, they MUST combine to form al. Similarly, de (of/from) + el MUST become del. This only happens with el!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Mix-up
Mistake: "Quiero comprar el casa."
Correction: Quiero comprar la casa. 'Casa' is a feminine word, so it needs the feminine 'the', which is `la`.
Forgetting the Shortcut
Mistake: "Vamos a el parque."
Correction: Vamos al parque. The words `a` and `el` always merge into `al`. Think of it as a mandatory contraction.
This illustrates the singular feminine article 'la', as in 'la casa' (the house).
el(Article)
the
?Used before a singular, feminine noun (a word for a female person, or a thing considered 'feminine' in Spanish).
📝 In Action
La casa es grande.
A1The house is big.
La chica se llama Ana.
A1The girl's name is Ana.
El agua está fría.
A2The water is cold.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine 'The' (`la`)
Use la to say 'the' for a single thing that Spanish considers feminine. For example, la luna (the moon), la silla (the chair).
No Shortcuts with `la`
Unlike el, the word la never combines with a or de. You always say a la and de la separately.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The 'el agua' Exception
Mistake: "La agua está fría."
Correction: El agua está fría. To avoid the awkward 'a-a' sound, singular feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a' or 'ha' sound use `el`. But they are still feminine! Notice the adjective is `fría`, not `frío`.
This illustrates the plural masculine article 'los', as in 'los libros' (the books).
📝 In Action
Los libros son interesantes.
A1The books are interesting.
Los estudiantes (chicos y chicas) están en la clase.
A1The students (boys and girls) are in the class.
Me gustan los veranos en España.
A2I like the summers in Spain.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural 'The' (`los`)
Use los to say 'the' for more than one masculine thing. For example, los coches (the cars).
The Default Plural
Spanish uses the masculine plural los for mixed-gender groups. So, los niños can mean 'the boys' or 'the children' (boys and girls).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to Make the Noun Plural
Mistake: "Los coche son rápidos."
Correction: Los coches son rápidos. If you use a plural word like `los`, the thing it describes must also be plural (usually by adding -s or -es).
This illustrates the plural feminine article 'las', as in 'las manzanas' (the apples).
📝 In Action
Las casas son bonitas.
A1The houses are pretty.
Las chicas están hablando.
A1The girls are talking.
Necesito comprar las manzanas.
A1I need to buy the apples.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Plural 'The' (`las`)
Use las to say 'the' for more than one feminine thing. For example, las mesas (the tables).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using `las` for Mixed Groups
Mistake: "Las chicas y los chicos... uhm... ¿las estudiantes?"
Correction: Los estudiantes. Even if there's only one boy in a group of 99 girls, the group is described with the masculine plural `los`.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: el
Question 1 of 3
Which word for 'the' do you need for '__ problema'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Spanish have four words for 'the'?
Because every 'thing' (noun) in Spanish has a gender, either masculine or feminine. The word for 'the' has to change to match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun it's describing. It seems tricky at first, but it quickly becomes second nature!
What's the difference between `el` and `él`?
The accent mark makes all the difference! `el` (no accent) means 'the'. `él` (with an accent) means 'he' or 'him'. They sound the same, so you have to rely on the context of the sentence to know which is which when listening.
I've also seen the word 'lo'. When do I use that?
`lo` is like a neutral or abstract version of 'the'. You use it with adjectives to talk about a concept, not a specific thing. For example, `lo bueno` means 'the good part' or 'the good thing'. It's a bit more advanced, so focus on `el`, `la`, `los`, and `las` first!