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A Spanish Grammar Lesson

The Definite Article #1

            The word “the” is known as the “definite article” in English.  In Spanish the definite article “the” can be either masculine or feminine.  The masculine definite article “the” is expressed as “el” in Spanish, and the feminine definite article “the” is expressed as “la” in Spanish depending on the gender of the noun it precedes.  “El” is used before a masculine noun, and “la” is used before a feminine noun.

            In the picture you see a man, masculine, dressed in blue overalls.  The overalls are blue to represent the standard color for the masculine gender, and the word overalls begins with the letter “o” to depict the ending of masculine words.  He says, “Masculine men wear blue overalls to show that masculine words end in the letter “o.”  His elbow is bent in the shape of a letter “L” to remind you that the masculine definite article “the” is expressed as “el” in Spanish.  The sign in the picture reads, “The masculine “the” in Spanish is “el.”  Study this picture until you know these two masculine characteristics.

Masculine – “El” precedes masculine nouns.  Notice the masculine letter “o” endings in the sample words below.  

                                    el burro                        el sombrero                  el toro