When to use the article en español

When to use the article en español • Days of the week: Days of the week typically are preceded by
either el or los, depending on whether the day is singular or plural (the
names of the weekdays don’t change in the plural form). Voy a la
tienda el jueves. (I’m going to the store on Thursday.) Voy a la tienda
los jueves. (I go to the store on Thursdays.) The article isn’t used
following a form of the verb ser to indicate which day of the week it
is. Hoy es lunes. (Today is Monday.)
• Seasons of the year: Seasons normally need the definite article, although
it is optional after de, en or a form of ser. Prefiero los inviernos. (I
prefer winters.)No quiero asistir a la escuela de verano. (I don’t want
to go to the summer school.)
• With more than one noun: In English, we can often omit the “the” when
using two or more nouns joined by “and” or “or,” as the article is
understood to apply to both. That’s not so in Spanish. El hermano y la
hermana están tristes. (The brother and sister are sad.) Vendemos la
casa y la silla. (We’re selling the house and chair.)
• With generic nouns: These are nouns that refer to a concept or to a
substance in general or a member of a class in general, rather than a
specific one (where the article would be required in both
languages). No preferiría el despotismo. (I wouldn’t prefer
despotism.) Esto es la realidad de la vida. (This is the reality of
life.) El trigo es nutritivo. (Wheat is nutritious.) Los americanos son
ricos. (Americans are rich.) Los derechistas no deben votar. (Rightwingers ought not to vote.)Escogí la cristianidad. (I chose
Christianity.) Exception: The article is often omitted after the
preposition de, especially when the noun following de serves to
describe the first noun and doesn’t refer to a specific person or
thing. Los zapatos de hombres (men’s shoes), but los zapatos de los
hombres (the shoes of the men). Dolor de muela (toothache in
general), but dolor de la muela (a toothache in a particular tooth).
• With names of languages: Names of languages require the article except
when they immediately follow en or a verb that is often used of
languages (particularly saber, aprender, and hablar, and
sometimes entender, escribir or estudiar). The article also is required
after an adverb or a preposition other than en. Hablo español. (I speak
Spanish.) Hablo bien el español.(I speak Spanish well.) Prefiero el
inglés. (I prefer English.) Aprendemos inglés. (We are learning
English.)
• With clothing, body parts and other personal items: It is very common
Taken and adapted from: https://languageboat.com/2013/11/27/when-to-use-or-omit-definite-articles-inspanish/
When to use the article en español to use the definite article in Spanish in cases where a possessive
adjective (such as “your”) would be used in English. Examples: ¡Abre
los ojos! (Open your eyes!)Perdió los zapatos. (He lost his shoes.)
• With infinitives used as subjects: El entender es difícil. (Understanding
is difficult.) El fumar está prohibido. (Smoking is prohibited.)
• Before the names of some countries: The names of some countries, and a
few cities, are preceded by the definite article. In some cases it’s
mandatory or nearly so (el Reino Unido, la India), while in other cases
it’s optional but common (el Canadá, la China). Even if a country
isn’t on the list, the article is used if the country is modified by an
adjective. Voy a México. (I’m going to Mexico.) But, voy al México
bello. (I’m going to beautiful Mexico.) The article is also commonly
used before the names of mountains: el Everest, el Fuji.
• Before names of streets: Streets, avenues, plazas and similar places are
usually preceded by the article. La Casa Blanca está en la avenida
Pennsylvania. (The White House is on Pennsylvania Avenue.)
• With personal titles: The article is used before most personal titles when
talking about people, but not when talking to them. El señor Smith
está en casa. (Mr. Smith is at home.) But,hola, señor Smith (hello,
Mr. Smith). La doctora Jones asistió a la escuela. (Dr. Jones attended
the school.) But, doctora Jones, ¿como está? (Dr. Jones, how are
you?) La is also often used when speaking about a famous woman
using her last name only. La Spacek durmió aquí.(Spacek slept here.)
In certain set phrases: Many of these involve places. En el espacio (in
space), en la televisión(on television).
When it is omitted?
• Before ordinal numbers for names of rulers and similar people. Luis
octavo (Luis the Eighth), Carlos quinto (Carlos the Fifth).
• Some proverbs (or statements made in a proverbial fashion) omit the
article. Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente. (The shrimp
that falls asleep gets carried away by the current.) Perro que ladra no
muerde. (The dog that barks doesn’t bite.)
In certain set phrases that don’t follow any particular pattern.
Examples: A largo plazo (in the long run), en alta mar (on the high seas)
Taken and adapted from: https://languageboat.com/2013/11/27/when-to-use-or-omit-definite-articles-inspanish/