The document discusses the use of the definite article "el", "la", "los", "las" in Spanish. It provides examples of when to use the definite article in Spanish, such as with nouns already mentioned, names of geographical areas, directions, superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers. It also lists cases when not to use the definite article, including things in general, days of the week, means of transportation, cities and place names.

1. By: Claudia Vásquez
V.

2. In front of nouns to specify the person, animal or thing to
which we refer. You can accompany the name in the
singular or plural. It is also used with nouns that have
already been mentioned.
Example:
The moon is bright. -> La luna es brillante.
He live in my house, the house is comfortable. -> Él vive
en mi casa, la casa es cómoda.

3. With the names of geological regions, mountain
ranges, seas, oceans, groups of islands, rivers and
plural countries.
When referring to a family by his surname
Examples:
The United States (Los Estados Unidos)
The Andes (Las montañas Andes)
The Smiths

4. To reference directions (right, left, top, bottom)
and the cardinal points (north, south, east,
west).
Example:
the south of France (el sur de Francia)
the house on the left (la casa de la izquierda)
the top of the page (arriba de la pagina)

5. With superlative adjectives and ordinal
numbers.
Example:
the tallest building (el edificio más alto)
the strongest man (el hombre más fuerte)
the first time (la primera vez)
the second floor (la segunda planta)
We use when naming a particular musical
instrument.
Example:
the piano, the guitar or the flute.

6. Not use when we talk about something in
general.
Example:
I like ice cream. (Me gusta el helado.)
Math is difficult. (Las matemáticas son
difíciles.)

7. Not use when it comes to TV, the mealtimes, the days
of the week, months of the year, seasons, years or
time.
Example:
- I do not like to watch TV. (No me gusta ver la
televisión)
- I have an appointment on Monday. (Tengo una cita el
lunes.)
- We eat breakfast at 9:00. (Comemos el desayuno a las
9:00.)

8. Not use institutions and modes of transport when we're
talking in general.
Example:
- We like school. (Nos gusta la escuela.)
- I go to work by train. (Voy al trabajo en tren.)
- They go to church on Sundays. (Van a la iglesia los
domingos.)

9. Not use with names of cities and place names in
general. Article lakes or streets is not used.
Example:
- I went to Lake Titicaca. (Fui al lago Titicaca.)
- She lives on Flores Street. (Vive en la calle Flores.)