Write the definitie article (if necessary). Use parenthses if the article is optional.
1. Aprendo _____ japones.
2. _____ Africa es grande.
3. Esta en _______ carcel.
4. Que es _____ quimica?
5. Come ____ almuerzo.
1. el japonés
3. la
4. química
5. el
Some uses of the definite article:
Although omitted in English, the definite article is used in Spanish:
1. Before the names of languages, except after hablar, en or de. (#1)
If an adverb occurs between hablar and a name of a language, the article is used with the language. (Habla bien el español.)
2. Before titles, excepte when addressing the person. (El señor Gómez, etc. BUT Buenos días, señor G.)
The article is omitted before don( doña), Santo (San, Santa).
3. Instead of the possessive adjective, with parts of the body or personal possessions (clothing, etc.). (Ella tiene el pelo rubio.)
4. With the time of day (la, las = hour, hours). (Es la una.)
5. Before nouns used in a general or abstract sense. (El hombre is mortal.)
6. Before infinitives used as nouns. These nouns are always masculine. (El mentir es un vicio.)
7. With the names of seasons. (Me gusta la primavera.)
8. With the days of the week, except after the verb ser. (Hoy es jueves. Los jueves hay pruebas.)
9. Before certain geographic names (el Brasil, la Florida)
Even with a geograph ic name that ordinarily does not use an article, the article is used if the name is modified. (La España del siglo XVI me interesa.)
10. To express "a (an)" with weights or measures. (un dólar la libra)
OMISSION OF THE ARTICLES:
1. Before nouns in apposition. (Madrid, capital de España, etc.)
2. Before numerals expressing the numerical order of rulers. (Carlos Quinto)
And indefinite articles are omitted:
1. before predicate nouns denoting a class or group (social class, occupation, nationality, religion, etc.) (Es peluquero.) BUT if the predicate noun is modified, the indefnite article is expressed. (Era un peluquero hábil.)
2. Before or after certain words that in English ordinarily ave the article: otro, cierto, ciento, mil, tal, ¡Qué...!
Sra
1. Aprendo (el) japonés.
To determine if the definite article is necessary, we need to consider if the word "japonés" is general or specific. In this case, since we are learning a specific language, we use the definite article "el" before "japonés."
2. África es grande.
In this sentence, the article is not necessary because we are talking about Africa in general, not a specific Africa.
3. Está en (la) cárcel.
The definite article "la" is used before "cárcel" because we are referring to a specific prison.
4. ¿Qué es (la) química?
The definite article "la" is used before "química" because we are asking for the definition of a specific subject.
5. Come (el) almuerzo.
The definite article "el" is used before "almuerzo" when talking about the specific lunch that someone is eating.