Powerpoint to accompany the open textbook Yo Puedo 2 by by Silvagio-Adams & Vallejo-Alegre

2. Using indefinite articles is a little tricky, just like the
definite articles. There are cases in English where we
wouldn't use "a,“ “an” or “some” in the plural but we
would in Spanish and vice versa.

3. 1. To describe a person using a modified noun (a noun with an adjective.)
• Mi mamá es una buena maestra. (My mom is a good teacher.)
• Los alumnos son unos chicos inteligentes. (The students are
smart.)
2. To describe an (approximate) amount of something
• Quiero unos bolígrafos por favor. (I want some pens please.)
• Tengo unas diez libros en mi mochila. (I have about
ten books in my backpack.)
• Necesitamos unas reglas. (We need a few rulers.)

4. • 1. To describe an unknown amount of something
• • ¿Hay clase hoy? (Is there class today?)
• • ¿Hay tarea? (Is there homework?)
• 2. When not referring to a specific item, but rather the idea of the thing.
• This is common when using nouns as adjectives like professions, religions,
nationalities, tools, etc.
• • Soy profesora de español. (I am a Spanish professor.)
• • Los estudiantes son chilenos. (The students are Chilean.)
• 3. When the noun is preceded by: cierto/a, medio/a, tal(es), otro/a, or mil
• • El precio es mil quinientos. (The price is $1500.)
• • Tenemos clase en media hora. (We have class in a half an hour.)
• • Otra razón que estudio es para poder hablar con mis amigos en Chile.
(Another reason why I study is to be able to speak with my friends in
Chile.)
• • La mochila cuesta cien dolares. (The backpack costs $100.)

5. • Haz la tarea por favor. (Do the homework, please.)
• Me gusta la ensalada griega (I like Greek salad.)

6. 1. With nouns used in a general sense
• • La comida de México es deliciosa. (Mexican food is delicious.)
• • Las películas de Marvel son mis favoritas. (Marvel Studios’ movies are my
favorites.)
2. With days of the week
• • El lunes tengo que trabajar. (On Monday, I have to work.)
• • Los lunes, voy al gimnasio. (On Mondays, I go to the gym.)
3. With names of languages
• • El japonés y el alemán son lenguas difíciles. (Japanese and German are
difficult languages.)
• • Me gusta mucho el español. (I really like Spanish.)
*Exception: Hablar/estudiar
Do not use the article after hablar: Yo hablo español. (I speak Spanish.)

7. 4. With parts of the body and clothing
• • Me duele el estómago. (My stomach hurts.)
• • Me pongo la chaqueta. (I put on the jacket.)
5. To tell time
• • Es la una. (It is one o'clock.)
• • Vamos a las tres y media. (We are going at 3:30.)
*Gender and Time
The definite article for time will always be feminine.
6. When talking about someone
• • El doctor Hernández es inteligente. (Dr. Hernández is intelligent.)
• • La señora Kahlo tiene talento. (Mrs. Kahlo has talent.)

8. 1. With titles when addressing a person, or with San, Santo/a, Don, and Doña
• • Señor Ortega, ¿cómo está? (Mr. Ortega, how are you?)
• • Mi hermana va a San Juan. (My sister is going to San Juan.)
2. With nouns referring to academic subjects
• • Mi amigo estudia matemáticas y biología. (My friend studies math and
biology.)
3. With ordinal numbers in titles
• • El Papá se llama Juan Pablo segundo. (The Pope is John Paul the
second.)
 • Ahora, El Papá se llama Francisco. (Now the Pope is Frances.)

9. El Fin