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• Articles are sometimes used differently in Spanish and English.
• Definite articles are used in Spanish with days of the week, generic nouns, body parts and personal items.
• Indefinite articles are not used in Spanish when talking about jobs and in front of certain specific words.

Spanish uses the definite article in many situations where English doesn't, such as referring to days of the week, generic nouns and some body parts and personal items.

Days of the week typically are preceded by either el or los, depending on whether the day is singular or plural. All days of the week are masculine so it will always be el or los.

For example:

Voy a la tienda el jueves. - I'm going to the shop on Thursday.

Voy a la tienda los jueves. - I go to the shop on Thursdays.

Remember

The names of the weekdays don't change in the plural form although the article is plural.

Generic nouns refer to a thing or idea in general terms. For example, a member of a class in general, rather than a specific person, where the article would be required in both languages.

Have a look at these examples:

Prefiero el libro. - I prefer the book.

El libro is a non-generic noun, as it referring to a specific book that the person prefers.

Prefiero el tenis. - I prefer tennis.

El tenis is a generic noun and the definite article el in a needed because it is talking about tennis in general.

The definite article is used in Spanish in cases where a possessive adjective, for example my, your, his or her, would be used in English to refer to personal items including clothing and body parts.

For example:

Tengo los ojos azules. - I have blue eyes.

Los is used because ojos (eyes) is masculine and plural.

Perdió los zapatos. - He lost his shoes.

Los is used because zapatos (shoes) is masculine and plural.

In some cases the article in Spanish is left out when it would be included in English.

There’s no need to use the indefinite article when talking about jobs in Spanish.

For example:

Mi primo es profesor. - My cousin is a teacher

Me gustaría ser médica. - I would like to be a doctor.

The indefinite article is not needed when talking about things in a general way, especially if quantity is not important.

For example:

No tengo coche. - I don’t have a car.

¿Tienes novia? - Do you have a girlfriend?

The indefinite article is left out before certain common words.

When you are going to or you are physically located somewhere, such as at home or in class, the article is left out.

For example:

Estoy en casa. - I’m at home.

Tenemos que ir a clase. - We have to go to class.

If you are unwell and have to stay in bed, describe your time in bed without an article:

Javier está en cama con fiebre. - Javier's in bed with a fever.

Articles are also left out after the verb tener (to have) in negative sentences.

For example:

No tengo dinero. - I don’t have any money.

No tiene amigos. - He doesn’t have any friends.

Practise what you've learned about using articles with this quiz.

Now you have learned about using articles in Spanish why not explore adverbs in Spanish?