Definite Articles: Using "El" and "La" to Determine the Gender of Nouns

Each noun (seasons, months, and days are nouns) has an "el" or a "la" associated with it. Both of these little words mean "the". The words for "the" are not always used, but it is important to know them because it tells us to which of the two sets the noun belongs.

For example:

If a noun has the word "el" meaning "the" - it is considered "masculine.
If a noun has the word "los" meaning "the" - it is considered "masculine" as well; (the plural forms end in -s or -es).
If a noun has the word "la" meaning "the" - it is considered feminine.
If a noun has the word "las" meaning "the" - it is considered feminine as well; (the plural forms end in -s or -es).

Gender of nouns chart showing ways nouns have the article "the" preceding them and which version of the article to use if the noun is masculine or feminine, singular or plural, and its ending

**There will be nouns that will not follow these guidelines; you will have to "memorize" the ones that do not follow the guidelines.

Watch and read the information carefully before you attempt to do the practice items that will follow. Stop the video if necessary to read or take notes.

Click on the image below to watch the video.

Test your knowledge by completing the activity below.

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