6. Definite article

Definite article
We use the definite articles to "point" or "select" an specific element, for example if we say "the car", we are talking about an specific car, not about any red car like with the indefinite article.
This are the definite articles:
(s) |
(p) |
|
(m) |
el |
la |
(f) |
los |
las |
Let see now the definite article with the same examples: (see the diference with the indefinite)
(s) |
(p) |
Example |
||
(m) |
el perro |
los perros |
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the dog, the dogs |
(f) |
la silla |
las sillas |
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the chair, the chairs |
Remember that if you have a mixed group of males and females you have to use the male plural form, for example: If you have 1 "niño" and 1 "niña" you have to say "los niños".
(s) |
(p) |
Example |
||
(m) |
el niño |
los niños |
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the child (m), the children (m/f) |
(f) |
la niña |
las niñas |
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the child (f), the children (f) |
Neutral definite article
There is also a neutral article, "lo", it has some uses but really hard to explain, I think this is quite hard to learn at this level so it will be explained in an advanced lesson, don't worry about this article at this beginner level. I will show you few examples anyways.
Neutral definite article: lo
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Lo malo de la lluvia es que te mojas. |
The bad thing of the rain is that you get wet. |
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Estoy alejado lo suficiente como para no mojarme. |
I am enough away to not get wet. |