Definite and indefinite articles in Spanish: examples and practice
Definite articles
In spanish there are three article: el, la, los, las. Placement is it before the noun, the form used depends on wheter it is a masculine, feminine, singular or plural noun.
For example:
El chico (masculine singular).
La chica (feminine singular).
Los chicos (masculine plural).
Las chicas (feminine plural).
When are these pronouns used?
•To refer to a specific person, animal or thing in a concrete situation.
For example: You are visiting your friend's new house and say: La casa es bonita.
Trabajo en el banco. (There are only one bank in this town).
•To talk about something the listener already knows.
¿Qué ropa llevas a la fiesta?
Llevo el vestido rojo. (The listener knows about this dress).
Mi amigo trabaja en el bar de la esquina. (Listener knows about this place).
•To talk about something in a general way.
Los chicos de ojos verdes son guapos.
Me gusta mucho la pizza.
2. Indefinite articles
These articles are: un, una, unos, unas. Use them before the noun, the form used varies depending on the noun being a masculine, feminine, singular or plural one.
Examples:
Un libro (masculine singular).
Unos libros (masculine plural).
Una libreta (feminine singular).
Unas libretas (feminine plural).
When are these pronouns used?
•When we are not referring to a specific person or thing.
Mi amigo trabaja en un bar. (It is not a specific bar).
•To talk about something new.
A la fiesta voy a llevar un vestido nuevo. (We are introducing something new to the listener).
Tengo un perro y un gato. (We are introducing new information to the listener)
•To talk about someone or something as a part of a group.
Trabajo en un banco. (There are more than one bank in the town).
Quiero leer una novela. (There are lots of books to choose).
•To indicate quantity.
Quiero un café. ( I want only one).
•Unos/unas. May be used to say "some".
Hay unos niños jugando al fútbol en el parque. ( = some boys).
Voy a comprar unas revistas. ( = some magazines).
The following practice quiz may help you to understand this grammar topics better.