The definite article

The definite article is used more frequently in Spanish than in English. It is used in the following cases.

1. With abstract nouns and nouns used in a general sense.

La dedicación al aprendizaje es la clave del éxito en la vida

Devotion to learning is the key to success in life

A los niños de hoy les gustan mucho las computadoras

Today’s children like computers a lot.

a) The words cama, cárcel, ciudad, escuela, guerra iglesia and trabajo fall into the category of general words and require the definite article.

Mi primo estuvo en la cárcel porque no quiso ir a la guerra.

My cousin went to jail because he refused to go to war.

Conocí a mi primer novio en la iglesia, el segundo en la escuela y al tercero en el trabajo.

I met my first sweetheart in church, my second one at school, and my third one at work.

b) If an idea of amount or number is implied or one could insert words like some, any, many in the English sentence, the definite article is omitted in Spanish. The definite article is never used after hay and other impersonal forms of haber.

Me gustan los niños, pero nunca invito niños a mi casa.

I like children but I never invite [any] children to my home.

--¿Desea Ud. Pastel?

“Will you have some cake?

--Gracias, no me gusta el pastel, pero tomaré café

“Thank you, I don’t like cake but I’ll have [some] coffee.”

2. With meals, hours, and days of the week except when identifying a particular day.

En mi casa, la cena es a las siete, excepto los domingos.

At home, dinner isa t seven except Sundays.

But:

Hoy es martes

Today is Tuesday.

3. With titles, exept don, doña, and san, santo.

El señor Rodríguez y el professor Gómez conocen al presidente Bush.

Mr. Rodríguez and Professor Gómez know President Bush.

Doña Rosa es devota de Santa Teresa

Doña Rosa has a special devotion to St. Teresa

a) If the title is used in direct address, the article is omitted.

--Señor Rodríguez, ¿no viene el profesor Juárez a la fiesta?

“Mr. Rodríguez, isn’t Profesor Juarez coming to the party?”

a) The definite article is not used with the names of rulers.

Alfonso XIII (Trece) fue el abuelo de Juan Carlos I (Primero)

Alfonso the Thirteenth was the grandfather of Juan Carlos the First.

4. With parts of the body and personal belongings when the identity of the possessor is clear.

Cuando llegué a la fiesta, me quite los guantes y el abrigo.

When I arrived at the party, I took off my gloves and my coat.

¿Dónde están mis guantes y mi abrigo?

Where are my gloves and my coat?

5. With the names of some cities and countries

Un país fascinante es El Perú

Perú is a fascinating country

Iremos a Las Vegas en el verano

We will go to[Las] Vegas during Summer