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Did you know that some of the most used words in Spanish are the articles? These particles are essential to communicate effectively in the language, so learning to master them is the next step to becoming a fluent Spanish speaker.
At donQuijote we know that sometimes Spanish articles can be quite a challenge, so here you can find a post with everything you need to know about them, what they are, how they are used and the different types that exist. Read on so you don't miss anything and come learn Spanish in Spain with us to experience the language firsthand.
You can read this same blog post in Spanish, French or Italian.
What is an article in Spanish?
A Spanish article is a word that accompanies a noun and determines its gender, masculine or feminine, and its number, singular or plural. Articles in Spanish can be definite or indefinite depending on the degree of specificity they express.
These particles are used every day, and they are essential for communication in Spanish. For example, in the sentence, “El perro de mi vecino es un dálmata” (my neighbor's dog is a Dalmatian), there are two articles: “el” and “un”.
Types of Spanish articles
There are two basic types of articles that you must differentiate in Spanish.
Definite article in Spanish
Definite Spanish articles are those that indicate that the noun they accompany is known or specific. The following can be distinguished: el, la, los, las, lo.
- Masculine singular: el → El libro es azul (The book is blue)
- Feminine singular: la → La mesa está rota (The table is broken)
- Masculine plural: los → Los alumnos se van de excursión (The students are going on a field trip)
- Feminine plural: las → Las ventanas están abiertas (The windows are open)
“Lo” is a neuter article that is rarely used but knowing that it exists will help you recognize it if you see it in a text.