Definite Articles EL/LOS, LA/LAS
General sense and before abstract nouns Me gusta el café. El valor es una virtud. El café es un producto importante de Colombia. I like coffee. Bravery is a virtue. Coffee is an important product of Colombia.
Addressing/Referring to people Always used with titles when speaking ABOUT someone, NOT when speaking directly to the person with the title. El general Santander ganó las elecciones. La doctora Antúnez perdió. BUT Buenos días, señor Solís. Hasta mañana, doctora Antúnez.
Always with days of the week Conveys the meaning “on” Tengo clases los lunes.I have classes on Mondays. El domingo, voy a Bogotá. On Sunday, I’m going to Bogotá.
With parts of the body or clothing articles with the reflexive pronoun Yo me lavo las manos antes de comer. Después de comer, me cepillo los dientes y me lavo la cara. I wash my hands before eating. After eating, I brush my teeth and wash my face.
Indefinite Articles UN/UNOS, UNA/UNAS
Ser + profession Not needed, EXCEPT if the profession is modified by an adjective. La doctora López es profesora (de ciencias). Doctor Lopez is a (science) teacher. La doctora López es una profesora (de ciencias) buena. Doctor Lopez is a good (science) teacher.