Spanish Grammar - Articles And Nouns

Beginning Spanish: A basic course in the Spanish language


 
In Spanish, all nouns (even the names of objects) and the articles that are used with them are either masculine or feminine. 

When speaking or writing in Spanish, it's very important to use the correct gender and quantity for your nouns and articles. In some Spanish words and phrases, getting these wrong changes the entire meaning!

Tip: When studying Spanish vocabulary, always repeat and memorize the article along with the noun.


Spanish Definite Articles:

The masculine singular definite article in Spanish is el. The masculine plural form is los.

Examples:

     el muchacho (the boy)
     los muchachos (the boys)

The feminine singular definite article in Spanish is la. The feminine plural form is las.

Examples:

     la mesa (the table)
     las mesas (the tables)


Spanish Indefinite Articles:

The masculine singular indefinite article in Spanish is un. The feminine singular indefinite article in Spanish is una.

Examples:

     un cuaderno (a notebook)
     una mujer (a woman)


Masculine And Feminine Nouns In Spanish:

Most nouns that refer to males or end with the letter o are masculine.

Examples:

     el patio   (the patio)
     el padre   (the father)
     un muchacho   (a boy)

Most nouns that refer to females or end with the letter a are feminine.

Examples:

     la madre   (the mother)
     una chica   (a little girl)
     la crema   (the cream)
     una avenida   (an avenue)


Forming Plurals In Spanish:

For nouns ending in a vowel, simply add an s to form the plural.

Examples:

     la mesa   (the table)
     las mesas   (the tables)

     
la montaņa   (the mountain)
     las montaņas   (the mountains)

     el burro   (the donkey)
     los burros   (the donkeys)

     el ejercicio   (the exercise)
     los ejercicios   (the exercises)

For nouns ending in a consonant, add es to form the plural.

Examples:

     el rey   (the king)
     los reyes   (the kings)

     el hotel   (the hotel)
     los hoteles   (the hotels)


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