- Learn the 8 Spanish (el, la, los, las, un, una, unos, unas)
- Understand the difference between (the) and (a/an) articles
- Master gender agreement - matching articles to masculine/feminine nouns
- Apply number agreement - using singular/plural articles correctly
- Recognise when to use definite vs indefinite in everyday situations
- Practise with common vocabulary (casa, libro, mesa, perro)
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NounsBeginner
Articles: el, la, los, las, un, una
Master el, la, los, las, un, una, unos, unas in Spanish
The rule at a glance
el, la, los, las = the · un, una, unos, unas = a / some
masculine: el, los, un, unos · feminine: la, las, una, unas
Definite: a specific thing
el / la / los / las
the
Dame el libro, por favor.
Give me the book, please.
Indefinite: any one
un / una / unos / unas
a / an / some
Quiero un café, por favor.
I'd like a coffee, please.
General statements
los / las + noun
no article in English
Me gustan los perros.
I like dogs.
- Match gender and number: el libro, las casas, unas sillas. La libro and la casas are wrong.
- Spanish often says "the" where English doesn't: with days (El lunes voy al médico), times (Son las tres) and titles when you talk about someone (El señor García está aquí), though not when you speak to them (Buenos días, señor García).
- A single countable thing usually needs un/una: Tengo un libro. You can leave it out with uncountables (Bebo agua), jobs (Soy profesor) and things you normally have one of (Tengo coche).
What You'll Learn
Overview
Learn the complete system: (the) and (a/an/some) !
Definite Articles (THE)
elmasc. singular
lafem. singular
losmasc. plural
lasfem. plural
Indefinite Articles (A/AN/SOME)
unmasc. singular
unafem. singular
unosmasc. plural
unasfem. plural
When to Use Each Type
Definite: Specific items you both know about
Indefinite: Any item, not a specific one
Structure & Formation
Use definite articles for specific things, and indefinite articles for any item or first mentions.
Definite Articles (THE)
For specific items you both know about
Masculine
el perro (the dog)
los perros (the dogs)
Feminine
la mesa (the table)
las mesas (the tables)
Indefinite Articles (A/AN/SOME)
For any item, first mentions, or quantities
Masculine
un libro (a book)
unos libros (some books)
Feminine
una silla (a chair)
unas sillas (some chairs)
When to Use Each Type
Definite (el, la, los, las)
Specific items: "el libro" (the specific book)
Things you both know about
Indefinite (un, una, unos, unas)
Any item: "un libro" (any book)
First mentions or quantities
Advanced Uses
General categories
"Me gustan los perros" (I like dogs - general statement, Spanish uses article)
Titles with names
"El señor García está aquí" (Mr García is here - talking about)
"Buenos días, señor García" (no article when addressing directly)
Days and times
"El lunes voy al médico" (On Monday...), "Son las tres" (It's 3 o'clock)
Examples
Definite Articles (Masculine)
Singular
el libro
the book
Singular
el perro
the dog
Singular
el gato
the cat
Plural
los libros
the books
Plural
los perros
the dogs
Definite Articles (Feminine)
Singular
la casa
the house
Singular
la mesa
the table
Singular
la silla
the chair
Plural
las casas
the houses
Plural
las mesas
the tables
Indefinite Articles (Masculine)
Singular
un libro
a book
Singular
un perro
a dog
Singular
un café
a coffee
Plural
unos libros
some books
Plural
unos perros
some dogs
Indefinite Articles (Feminine)
Singular
una casa
a house
Singular
una camisa
a shirt
Singular
una silla
a chair
Plural
unas casas
some houses
Plural
unas camisas
some shirts
When to Use Each Type
Definite (el, la, los, las)
Specific items you both know about
"Dame el libro" (Give me THE book)
Indefinite (un, una, unos, unas)
Any item, not specific
"Quiero un café" (I want A coffee)
Try it now:Articles practice →
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong gender agreement
la libro → el libro (the book)
Articles must match noun gender! Libro is masculine.
Missing plural agreement
la casas → las casas (the houses)
Plural nouns need plural articles!
Confusing specific vs general
Quiero el café (ordering at a bar) → Quiero un café (I want a coffee)
Use 'un/una' when ordering something new, 'el/la' for something specific!
Forgetting articles exist
Tengo libro → Tengo un libro (I have a book)
Singular count nouns usually need an article (though 'Tengo coche' and 'Bebo agua' are normal)!
Quick Reference
Definite: el (m.s.), la (f.s.), los (m.p.), las (f.p.) → THE
Indefinite: un (m.s.), una (f.s.), unos (m.p.), unas (f.p.) → A/AN/SOME
Quick Test
1. Which article goes with 'casa' (house)?
2. What's the indefinite article for 'libro' (book)?
3. Is 'los estudiantes' singular or plural?
4. How do you say 'some apples' in Spanish?
5. When do we use definite articles?
6. How do you say 'I want THE coffee' (specific one)?
7. What's the correct way to say 'a dog' in Spanish?
8. How do you say 'the shirts' (plural) in Spanish?
Want more practice? Try our interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises with 3 progressive lessons covering all articles!
Put it into practice
Fill-in-the-blank exercises with instant feedback, from beginner to advanced.