Learning a little bit about Italian definite articles
This is by no means an all encompassing lesson on definite articles in Italian. It is a good basis from which to start however. At the bottom of this page you will find resources which are available where you can learn more on this subject.In their book "Complete Italian Grammar" Marcel Danesi says the following about definite articles; "...are 'function words' which mark nouns as specific ..., that is refering to something in particular... A function word is a form that has grammatical meaning or value." In laymen's terms, the definite article in English is "the" and makes a noun a specific noun or nouns (for example - a boy {general term} vs the boy {a specific boy} .
In Italian there are 7 ways to write or say "The". The following is a list of those seven ways with the rules dictating when each is used;
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Italian for "The" L’ Lo Il Gli I L’ La Le |
Rules for use Masculine singular before nouns starting with a vowel Masculine singular before nouns starting with Z or an S + a consonant Masculine singular before all other masculine nouns Masculine plural for nouns starting with a vowel, Z or an S + a consonant Masculine plural for all other masculine plural nouns Feminine singular before nouns starting with a vowel Feminine singular before all other feminine nouns Feminine plural before all feminine nouns |
Example L'aereo Lo studente Il bambino Gli uomini I ragazzi L'autostrada La donna Le bambine |
| You can learn more about definite articles in Italian on pages 14 - 17t of the book "English Grammar for Students of Italian" by Sergio Adorni and Karen Primorac, copyright 1995. If you do not own this book, don't worry, it is not mandatory that you do. However, it can be very useful in a lot of ways and if you would like to know more about this book and where to buy it, click on the graphic link to the right or simply go to our online bookstore. | You can learn more about definite articles in Italian on pages 25 & 26 (page #'s may vary as I have an older edition) of "Ciao", copyright 1986. If you do not own this book, don't worry, it is not mandatory that you do. However, it can be very useful in a lot of ways and if you would like to know more about this book and where to buy it, click on the graphic link to the right or simply go to our online bookstore. | You can learn more about definite articles in Italian on pages 27, 29 - 38 of "Complete Italian Grammar" by Marcel Dansesi, copyright 1976. If you do not own this book, don't worry, it is not mandatory that you do. However, it can be very useful in a lot of ways and if you would like to know more about this book and where to buy it, click on the graphic link to the right or simply go to our online bookstore. |
