Complete Guide to Spanish Articles: Definition, Types and Examples

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Here you will find a basic guide with everything you need to know about articles in Spanish and the different types there are. Articles are very important in Spanish because they help us to point out and recognize the nouns in a sentence.

Let’s go!

What is an article?

An article is a word that accompanies a noun and tells us whether the noun is something specific or something generic. You will find them in front of the noun.

Articles are an essential part of Spanish because they help identify and specify what we are talking about. They also tell us if the noun is masculine or feminine and whether it is singular or plural.

Types of articles

Definite or definite articles

Definite articles (or definite articles) are those we use when we talk about something specific, that is, something we already know or have already mentioned before. In Spanish, definite articles are:

  • El: for masculine and singular nouns (e.g., el coche (the car), el libro (the book)).
  • La: for feminine and singular nouns (e.g.: la casa (the house), la planta (the plant)).
  • Los: for masculine and plural nouns (e.g.: los gatos (the cats), los pantalones (the pants).
  • Las: for feminine and plural nouns (e.g.: las sillas (the chairs), las abejas (the bees)).

For example, by using the phrase “Voy a la tienda” (“I'm going to the store”) we are implying that the person we are addressing already knows which specific store we are referring to, so we don't necessarily have to clarify which one. Examples of definite articles:

  • La obra de teatro estuvo increíble (the play was amazing)
  • Los regalos están bajo el árbol (the presents are under the tree)
  • Las ventanas están abiertas (the windows are open)
  • El sol brilla en el cielo (the sun is shining in the sky)
  • La ciudad es muy bonita (the city is very beautiful)

Indefinite or indeterminate articles

On the other hand, indefinite articles (or indeterminate articles) are used to talk about something generic or something we have never mentioned before. The indefinite articles in Spanish are:

  • Un: for masculine and singular nouns (e.g., un perro (a dog)).
  • Una: for feminine and singular nouns (e.g.: una casa (a house)).
  • Unos: for masculine and plural nouns (e.g.: unos libros (some books)).
  • Unas: for feminine and plural nouns (e.g.: unas amigas (some friends)).

So, if instead of saying “Voy a la tienda” we use the phrase “Voy a una tienda” (“I'm going to a store,”), it means that we don't know which store it is, it could be a nearby store, a distant one, a grocery store, a shoe store... we don't know. Just any store. Examples of defined items:

  • Quiero un café (I want a coffee)
  • Tengo una idea (I have an idea)
  • Necesito un bolígrafo (I need a pen)
  • Unos estudiantes están esperando (some students are waiting)
  • Vi una película ayer (I saw a movie yesterday)

Gender and number of articles

Articles in Spanish change according to the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the noun. This means that we must use the correct article to match the noun we are using.

Below we share with you a table of articles according to gender and number to make it easier to remember:

Gender / NumberSingularPlural

Masculine

Example: Libro (Book)

el / un

ExampleEl libro / un libro (the book / a book)

los / unos

ExampleLos libros / unos libros (the books / some books)

Feminine

Example: Planta (Plant)

la / una

ExampleLa planta / una planta (the plant / a plant)

las / unas

Example: Las plantas / unas plantas (the plants / some plants)

Special cases

When a feminine noun begins with a tonic (accented) “a”, we use the masculine article “el” simply to make it sound more natural when we speak, but in the end, those nouns are still feminine. For example: “el agua” (the water), “el águila” (the eagle), “el acta” (the certificate). The same applies for words that begin with a tonic “ha”, such as “el hacha” (the axe), “el hada” (the fairy) or “el hambre” (the hunger).

However, when these words are put in plural, we no longer use “el”, but “las”. For example, "las aguas claras" (the clear waters), "las águilas grandes" (the big eagles) or "las hachas afiladas" (the sharp axes). That is, the change only applies when we speak in the singular. Examples of definite articles:

  • El perro es grande  (the dog is big)
  • Las puertas están cerradas  (the doors are closed)
  • El hada concedió el deseo de Cenicienta  (the fairy granted Cinderella's wish)
  • El agua está fría  (the water is cold)
  • La comida está lista  (the food is ready)

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Using articles with countable and uncountable nouns

Nouns are divided into countable and uncountable nouns, and it is important to know how to differentiate between them to use articles correctly.

With countable nouns

Countable nouns are those that we can count individually. That is, they can be numbered and have a plural form. These nouns allow us to use both definite and indefinite articles. Examples of articles with countable nouns:

  • Dame una manzana (give me an apple)
  • Hay unos libros sobre la mesa (there are some books on the table)
  • Unos niños juegan en el parque (some children are playing in the park)
  • Un coche está estacionado afuera (a car is parked outside)
  • Los tres gatos viven conmigo (the three cats live with me)

With uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns are those that we cannot count individually or divide into countable units without a specific measurement. Common examples are liquids, gases, materials, abstract concepts, etc. It is important to note that uncountable nouns do not have plural form.

With uncountable nouns, the best thing to do is to use definite articles (el, la) when we want to refer to something specific, but in many cases we do not use any article when we talk about uncountable nouns in a general or indefinite way. Examples of articles with uncountable nouns:

  • El agua está templada (the water is warm)
  • Dame azúcar (give me some sugar)
  • El dinero no alcanza (there is not enough money)
  • Tengo miedo (I am afraid)
  • La música suena fuerte (the music is loud)

Omission of articles

In some cases, the article is omitted in Spanish, such as when we mention professions, nationalities or personal relationships. This happens because it is already understood what we are referring to without the use of the article. Examples of omitted articles:

  • Mi hermano es médico (my brother is a doctor)
  • Luis es estudiante (Luis is a student)
  • Mi amigo es ingeniero (my friend is an engineer)
  • Ana es profesora (Ana is a teacher)
  • Mi novio es canadiense (my boyfriend is Canadian)

Special cases in the use of articles

Let us now review some special cases where articles are used in Spanish.

Use of the article in proper nouns

Sometimes we use articles before proper nouns of places or people. Note that not all proper names of places have articles, only certain geographical or historical names. Examples of the use of articles in proper nouns:

  • La Habana
  • El Salvador
  • La Paz
  • El Amazonas
  • La Mancha

Articles used with plural surnames

We might use an article with surnames in plural to refer to an entire family. It only applies when we are talking about the whole family, not an individual person. Examples of the use of articles with surnames in the plural:

  • Los García vinieron a la fiesta (the Garcias came to the party)
  • Los Fernández están de viaje (the Fernandez are on a trip)
  • Los Pérez se mudaron a una nueva casa (the Pérez moved to a new house)
  • Los Sánchez adoptaron un nuevo perro (the Sánchez adopted a new dog)
  • Los Vázquez acaban de tener un bebé (the Vázquez family just had a baby)

Articles with titles and positions

When we refer to someone by title or position, we usually use articles before them. However, the article may be omitted when we address the person directly. Examples of the use of articles with titles and positions. 

  • El doctor Pérez es muy reconocido en su campo (Dr. Perez is well known in his field)
  • La presidenta dará un discurso esta tarde. (the president will give a speech this afternoon)
  • El ingeniero revisará los planos (the engineer will check the plans)
  • La profesora está organizando la clase (the teacher is organizing the class)
  • La bailarina participó en el ballet (the ballerina participated in the ballet)

Contracted articles

In Spanish, the prepositions “a” and “de” are combined with the article “el” to form contractions, which makes sentences more fluid and easier to pronounce. These contractions that can be formed are:

  • a + el = al
  • de + el = del

The contractions “al” and “del” are very common and will help you talk about places, positions or directions in a more natural way. It is important to remember that these contractions are only used with the article “el”, and not with “la”, “los” or “las”. Examples of the use of contracted articles:

  • Vamos al parque a volar cometas (we're going to the park to fly kites)
  • Regresé del trabajo muy cansado (I came home from work very tired)
  • Salió al jardín a leer un libro (he went out to the garden to read a book)
  • Mañana iremos al centro comercial (tomorrow we are going to the mall)
  • Salimos al aeropuerto muy temprano (we leave for the airport very early)

Use of the neuter article “lo

The article “lo” is special because it is neutral, that is, it has neither gender (neither masculine nor feminine) nor number (neither singular nor plural). We use it mainly to refer to abstract concepts or to turn adjectives into nouns, which is known as substantivizing.

When we use “lo” before an adjective, it helps us to talk about subjective qualities or characteristics and express them in a more open and flexible way. Examples of the use of the article “lo”:

  • Lo importante es que estás bien (the important thing is that you're doing well)
  • Lo mejor está por venir (the best is yet to come)
  • Me gusta lo dulce de esta fruta (I like the sweetness of this fruit)
  • Lo bonito de este lugar es la vista (the beautiful thing about this place is the view)
  • No me gusta lo frío que está el clima (I don't like how cold the weather is)

Articles vs. determiners

Determiners are words that, like articles, accompany the noun to give us more information about it. However, determiners tell us things like distance, quantity, or possession of what we are talking about.

The key differences are that articles determine whether the noun is known (definite) or unknown (indefinite), while determiner adjectives focus on pointing out the distance or position of the noun (near or far, in space or time) from where the speaker is. Examples of the use of articles vs. determiners:

  • El perro está ladrando (the dog is barking). Definite article: we know the dog.

Este perro está ladrando (this dog is barking). Determiner adjective: the dog is near me.

  • Una niña está jugando (a little girl is playing). Indefinite article: any little girl.

Esa niña está jugando (that girl is playing). Determiner adjective: the girl is close to the person I am talking to.

  • El profesor explicó la lección (the teacher explained the lesson). Definite article: we know the teacher.

Ese profesor explicó la lección (that teacher explained the lesson). Determiner adjective:  the teacher is close to the listener.

Summary

In summary, articles in Spanish are essential to specify the noun we are referring to, and they change according to the gender and number of that noun. Definite articles indicate that we are talking about something known or specific, while indefinite articles refer to something general or non-specific.

In addition, there are several special cases and exceptions, such as the use of contractions and the neuter article “lo”. To master their use, it is important to practice every day using the Promova app and to pay close attention to the context of sentences.

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