1. The word "the" occupies a unique place in the English
language as the only word that grammarians classify as a definite
article. It's not quite so simple in Spanish, where the English "the"
has four equivalents. Like most adjectives, the definite article in
Spanish varies with number and gender:
Singular masculine: el
Singular feminine: la
Plural masculine: los
Plural feminine: las
Although there are a few exceptions, as a general rule a
definite article is used in Spanish whenever "the" is used in
English. But Spanish also uses a definite article in many cases
where English does not. Although the following list isn't
exhaustive, and there are exceptions to some of these rules, here
are the major instances where Spanish includes a definite article
absent in English:
With abstract nouns and nouns used in a general sense: In
English, the article is often omitted with abstract nouns and nouns
that refer more to a concept than a tangible item. But it still is
needed in Spanish. A few examples might help clarify: La ciencia
es importante. (Science is important.) Creo en la justicia. (I
believe in justice.) Estudio la literatura.(I study
literature.) La primavera es bella. (Spring is beautiful.)
With most titles of people: The definite article is used before
most titles of a person being talked about. El presidente Bush vive
en la Casa Blanca. (President Bush lives in the White
House.) Voy a la oficina de la doctora González. (I'm going to the
office of Dr. Gonzalez.) Mi vecina es la señora Jones. (My
neighbor is Mrs. Jones.) The article is omitted, however, when
directly addressing the person. Profesora Barrera ¿cómo está
usted? (Professor Barrera, how are you?)
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2. Before days of the week: Days of the week are always
masculine. Except in constructions where the day of the week
follows a form of ser (a verb for "to be"), as in hoy es
martes(today is Tuesday), the article is needed. Vamos a la
escuela los lunes. (We go to school on Mondays.) El tren
sale el miércoles. (The train leaves on Wednesday.)
Before verbs used as subjects: In Spanish, infinitives (the basic
form of a verb) can be used as nouns. The article el is used when
one is used as the subject of a sentence. El escribir es
difícil. (Writing is difficult.) El esquiar es peligroso. (Skiing is
dangerous.) No me gusta el nadar. (I don't like swimming. In
Spanish, this sentence has an inverted word order that
makes nadarthe subject.)
Often before names of languages: The article generally is used
before names of languages. But it can be omitted immediately
following a verb that is used often with languages, such
ashablar (to speak), or after the preposition en. Elinglés es la
lengua de Belice. (English is the language of Belize.) El alemán
es difícil. (German is difficult.)Hablo bien el español. (I speak
Spanish well.) But,hablo español. (I speak Spanish.) No puede
escribir en francés. (He can't write in French.)
With some place names: Although the definite article is seldom
mandatory with place names, it is often used with many of them.
The list of place names using the definite article is quite
arbitrary. La Habana es bonita. (Havana is pretty.) La India tiene
muchas lenguas.(India has many languages.)
With nouns joined by "and": In English, it often isn't necessary
to include the "the" before each noun in a series. But Spanish
often requires it. La madre y el padre están felices. (The mother
and father are happy.) Compré la silla y la mesa. (I bought the
chair and table.)
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