1 Definite and Indefinite Articles Articles Definite and Indefinite Articles Articles

2 Los Artículos…: 1. Definite: el la los las “the” 1. Indefinite: un una unos unas “a” / “an” some

3 Indefinite Articles l Used with nouns to indicate nonspecific people, places, or things

4 Definite Articles l Used with nouns to indicate specific people, places, or things

Definite and indefinite articles Es un libro. The indefinite article (un, una) refers to a non-specific item. It’s a book, any old book. The definite article (el, la) refers to a specific item. Es el libro que usamos en el salón de clase. It’s the book we use in the classroom.

Definite and indefinite articles Es una silla. The indefinite article (un, una) refers to a non-specific item. It’s a chair, any old chair. The definite article (el, la) refers to a specific item. Es la silla que usamos en la clase de español. It’s the chair we use in the Spanish class.

Definite and indefinite articles Hay unos libros en la sala de clase. The plural indefinite article (unos, unas) can be translated as “some” or “a few.” There are a few books in the classroom. Hay unas sillas también. There are some chairs, too.

Definite and indefinite articles Son los libros para la clase de español. The plural definite article (los, las), just like the singular, refers to specific things. They’re the books for the Spanish class. Son las sillas para los estudiantes. They’re the chairs for the students.

9 Definite and Indefinite Articles l In Spanish, articles match nouns in gender and number. l All Spanish nouns, even if they refer to objects, are either masculine or feminine. l In Spanish, articles match nouns in gender and number. l All Spanish nouns, even if they refer to objects, are either masculine or feminine.

10 Masculine Nouns: usually end in “- o” usually end in “- o” used with definite article “el” (“the”) used with definite article “el” (“the”) usually end in “- o” usually end in “- o” used with definite article “el” (“the”) used with definite article “el” (“the”) El chicoEl bolígrafoEl cuaderno Feminine Nouns: may end in “- a”, “- ción”, may end in “- a”, “- ción”, “- sión”, “- dad” used with definite article “la” (“the”) used with definite article “la” (“the”) may end in “- a”, “- ción”, may end in “- a”, “- ción”, “- sión”, “- dad” used with definite article “la” (“the”) used with definite article “la” (“the”) La chicaLa acciónLa televisiónLa posibilidad

11 Exceptions to the rule…: The gender of some words must be learned because they don’t follow the patterns for masculino or femenino: The gender of some words must be learned because they don’t follow the patterns for masculino or femenino: Masculinos: El día El mapa El reloj El lápiz El pupitre El sacapuntas Femeninos: La tarde La noche La clase La pared #1#1

12 Definite Article NounIndefinite Article Noun Singularel the chico boy un a chico boy Plurallos the chicos boys unos some chicos boys Singularla the chica girl una a chica girl Plurallas the chicas girls unas some chicas girls Red = MasculineYellow = Feminine

13 Plural Nouns: el los la las Nouns ending in a vowel add “-s” el chico los chicos la silla las sillas Nouns ending in a consonant add “-es” el papel los papeles el reloj los relojes#1#1

14 Plural Nouns: el los la las Nouns ending in a “-z” change to “-c”, add “-es” el lápiz los lápices#2#2

15 Plural Nouns: el los la las When referring to males and females as a single group, or to masculine and femenine objects together, always use the masculine plural: When referring to males and females as a single group, or to masculine and femenine objects together, always use the masculine plural: the boys the boys and girls #3#3 los chicos the boy students the boy and girl students los estudiantes

16 Write the correct definite article (the) l ______ chicas son atléticas. l ______ maestra es inteligente. l ______ amigos son simpáticos. l ______ chico es pelirrojo. l ______ chicas son atléticas. l ______ maestra es inteligente. l ______ amigos son simpáticos. l ______ chico es pelirrojo.

Write the correct indefinite article (a/some) 1. _____ camisa. 2. _______ vestidos. 3. _____ sombrero. 4. _____ faldas. 1. _____ camisa. 2. _______ vestidos. 3. _____ sombrero. 4. _____ faldas.

18 Write the correct indefinite article l _______ personas son organizadas. l _______ estudiantes son cómicos. l _______ amiga es joven. l _______ chico es bajo. l _______ personas son organizadas. l _______ estudiantes son cómicos. l _______ amiga es joven. l _______ chico es bajo.