La fruta Avancemos 1.2 Mis amigos y yo

Spanish has four words that mean “the”. el los la las In English we only have one word for “the.” What is it? THE Did you think it was a trick question? 

In Spanish, every noun is either masculine or feminine. la chica el chico We use “LA” for feminine nouns. We use “EL” for masculine nouns. the girl the boy

QUICK REFRESHER QUIZ: What exactly is a noun? a person a place a thing an idea

In Spanish EVERY noun is either masculine or feminine. el refresco the soda

Put this box in your notes: singular plural el los masculine la las feminine

So how do I know when to use “el” and when to use “la?” Sounds confusing to me!

Usually, nouns that end in “-o” are masculine. singular plural el Usually, nouns that end in “-o” are masculine. Those nouns use “el.” masculine el refresco Ends in “-o” la feminine

Usually, nouns that end in “-a” are feminine. singular plural el masculine la Usually, nouns that end in “-a” are feminine. Those nouns use “la.” feminine la pizza Ends in “-a”

What’s the Spanish word for juice? singular plural el What’s the Spanish word for juice? masculine jugo la feminine Is it el jugo? Or la jugo?

singular plural el el jugo masculine la feminine

What’s the Spanish word for guitar? singular plural el What’s the Spanish word for guitar? masculine guitarra la feminine Is it el guitarra? Or la guitarra?

singular plural el masculine la feminine la guitarra

Okay. But what if I have more than one guitar?

It’s feminine and plural singular plural el los masculine la las feminine las guitarras It’s feminine and plural

It’s masculine and plural singular plural el los masculine los refrescos It’s masculine and plural la las feminine

Write an example in each box: singular plural el los masculine los refrescos el jugo la las feminine las guitarras la pizza

I think I’ve got it! But let’s try a few for practice!

It’s masculine and singular plural el los el helado It’s masculine and singular masculine la las feminine

It’s feminine and plural singular plural el los masculine la las papas fritas las It’s feminine and plural feminine

It’s masculine and singular plural el los masculine el piano It’s masculine and singular la las feminine

It’s a mixed group and plural singular plural el los masculine los estudiantes It’s a mixed group and plural la las feminine

It doesn’t end in “-a” but it’s still feminine. singular plural el los masculine It doesn’t end in “-a” but it’s still feminine. How do we know? la las feminine la mujer

It doesn’t end in “-o” but it’s still masculine. How do we know? singular plural el los masculine el hombre It doesn’t end in “-o” but it’s still masculine. How do we know? la las feminine

I’m embarrassed. This was so much easier than I thought it would be!

la los el las la tarea las frutas los amigos el libro la música las patinetas los teléfonos

la los el las las galletas el pelo la comida los números las bicicletas el jugo la amiga

la los el las la mamá el papá la papa la mujer las mujeres el hombre fecha

Smart people like us . . . We rule!