Definite and Indefinite Articles

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Definite and Indefinite Articles
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The indefinitearticle

• A, an, some un / una / unos / unas
• The indefinite article is typically used in
  Spanish when it is used in English.

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Indefinite Articles

• When talking about any one will do.
• a pencil un lápiz
• a student un/una estudiante
• a book un libro
• a boy un chico
• some girls unas chicas
• some desks unos pupitres

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EXAMPLES
Paco has a piece of paper. Paco tiene una hoja de
papel. Marta is a good friend. Marta es una buena
amiga. I need some vocabulary cards. Yo necesito
unas tarjetas de vocabulario.
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The definitearticle

• The el / la / los / las
• The definite article is used more in Spanish than
  in English.

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Definite Articles

• When talking about a specific or DEFINITE one.
• the pencil el lápiz
• the student el/la estudiante
• the book el libro
• the boy el chico
• the girls las chicas
• the desks los pupitres

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When you must use the definite article in Spanish
but you dont see it in English

• With general usage nouns
• ie...Me gustan los libros.
• ie...I like books.

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When you must use the definite article in Spanish
but you dont see it in English
2. With titles when you are talking about
someone. ie...El Sr. Padilla es
simpatico. ie...Mr. Padilla is nice.
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When you must use the definite article in Spanish
but you dont see it in English
3. To say on with a day of the week. ie...Yo
estudio los lunes. ie...I study on Mondays.
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When you must use the definite article in Spanish
but you dont see it in English
4. To express the family. ie... los
Shellman ie...the Shellman family or the
Shellmans.
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EXAMPLES
Mr. Padilla is in the house. El Sr. Padilla está
en la casa. I like potato chips a lot. Me gustan
mucho las papitas. I do my vocabulary cards on
Friday. Hago mis tarjetas de vocbulario el
viernes.
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DEFINITE INDEFINITE
El Un
La Una
Los Unos
Las unas