Articles accompany nouns and help identify their gender and number. Compare a particular cat with a book introduced for the first time.
The idea
The definite forms are el, la, los and las. The indefinite forms are un, una, unos and unas. Choose the form that agrees with the noun; definiteness also depends on context.
Examples
- El gato duerme.The cat is sleeping.
- La niña lee.The girl reads.
- Los perros juegan.The dogs are playing.
- Las flores crecen.The flowers grow.
- Tengo un libro.I have a book.
- Busco una mesa.I am looking for a table.
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Watch out
Do not assume every feminine noun takes la in the singular: feminine nouns beginning with stressed a, such as el agua, normally use el immediately before them.
Try it yourself
___ gato duerme. (El / La)
Show answer or example answer
El
Gato is masculine singular, so the definite article is el.
___ flores crecen. (Los / Las)
Show answer or example answer
Las
Flores is feminine plural, so choose las.
Tengo ___ libro. (un / una)
Show answer or example answer
un
Libro is masculine singular, so choose un.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
___ gato duerme. (El / La)
___ flores crecen. (Los / Las)
Tengo ___ libro. (un / una)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Name an object you can see and another you are looking for. Choose an article and check the noun’s gender.