Learn Spanish Part No 4

Learn Spanish Pt No 4

Spanish Grammar

 Definitive and in definitive articles

Articles in Spanish may be categorized as definite, indefinite and neuter. Definite articles are used before nouns to designate what is already known or specific, corresponding to English “the”. The indefinite forms are used when the noun does not refer to a specific person, place or thing. English “a’ and “an” in the singular, and “some” in the plural.

a.Forms of the articles

The definite and indefinite articles vary in form to indicate gender and number. The forms are as follows.

		Masculine	Feminine
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
Definite article	el	los	la	Las
Indefinite article	un	unos	una	unas

The neutral article is lo.

b. El used with a and de

When proceeded by a or a, the e of the masculine singular form el is usually dropped, so that a + el > al and de + el > del.

Al banco (to the bank) del Puerto (from the port)

When the article is an integral part of a title this contraction in not made, in writing at least.

Es reportera de El Universo – she is a reporter on El Universo

Deja + el => There is no contraction before the subject pronoun : Esta copa es de el (This glass is his) 

c. El and un before feminine nouns

Immediately before singular feminine nouns beginning with a stressed a or ha, the forms el and un are used. This does not change the gender of the noun and the plural form of the noun still demands las or unas.

El ancia oxidada - the rusty anchor

Un agulla blanca – a white eagle

El aula nueva y unas Viejas (the new classroom and some old classrooms)

Common words which fall into this category are agua (water), alma (soul), area “area”, arma (weapon), asma (asthma), haba (bean), habla (language), hambre (hunger).

Exceptions include La Haya (The Hague), la, a and “la hache” the letter, “a” and “the letter “h”, la arabe, “the Arab woman”.

When not to use el / un before feminine words

1. El and un are not if the article is not immediately before the noun - el arpa “the harp”, but la bella arpa del siglo XVI “the beautiful sixteenth – century harp”
2. El and un are not used if initial a or ha are not stressed una alerta “alert”, la hamburguessa “hamburger”.
3. El and un are not used before other words such as adjectives or women’s names beginning with stressed a una alta galleria “a high gallery”, la ana que conozco “the Ana I know”.

2. The definitive article

Although there are very important differences in usage between English and Spanish, in general termas the use of the definite article to refer to someone or something specific is predictable from English.

Esto es jerez pero no el perez que me gusta

This is sherry but not the Sherry that I like.

Juan trajo rosas y Maria tiro las flores que compro ayer.

Juan brought roses and Maria threw away the flowers she bought yesterday.

Contexts in which the use of the definite article is predominant

• The definite article with generic nouns

In common with other Romance languages, Spanish requires the definite article before a noun used to refer to an entire category of people or things in general.

El plomo es una metal muy blando (Lead is a very soft metal)

Los vinos de Chile son magnificos (Chlean wines are splendid)

English does this only when a singular noun is used with a general meaning –

La jirafa es un animal extrano

The gerrafe is a strange animal

a. The definitive article with abstract nouns

The article is used with abstract nouns when they have a general sense

Hay que reducer la pobreza en este pais – We have to reduce poverty in this country

Un aumento de la dellcuencia – an increase in crime

But after verbs such as “tener” (to have) and “faltar” “to lack” – the article is not used

Hay que tener paciencia para hcer esto – You need patience to do this.

Also articles can be omitted when nouns occur in the form of a list such as Sinceridad, franqueza, y honradez, son cualidades que le faltan “sincerity, openness and honestly are qualities that he lacks”.

b. The definite article with terms for general concepts and practices

Unlike in English, the article in Spanish is used for any noun that refers to a general idea, phenomenon or practice. This category includes colors, diseases, games, fields of activity and even meals.

No me gusta el rojo como color – I don’t like red as a color

Casi se ha erradicado la viruela – Smallpox has almost been eradicated

Estan jugando al belsol – They are playing baseball

No sigo la politica – I don’t follow politics

A que hora es la cena – What time is dinner

The article is not used with colours after the prepositions de and en – El cuanto esta pintado de verde “the room is painted green”.

c. The definite article with days, seasons and years

The forms el and los are used with days of the week (often corresponding to English. El is used for single occasions and los for habitual practices

Es el lunes cuando vamos – it’s on Monday that we are going.

No abren los sabados – they don’t open on Saturdays.