Not clear on use of definite article in Spanish

Question

I want to translate: "Venezuela's exports to Cuba include oil and derived products, textiles, footwear, construction materials and plastics." Should these nouns have definite articles?

Answer 1

definite articles

Although there are a few exceptions, as a general rule a definite article is used in Spanish whenever "the" is used in English. But Spanish also uses a definite article in many cases where English does not.

To me that says you use the definite article to refer to or qualify specific objects. Books in general, but the books in this library.

One of those other uses that English does not:

With abstract nouns and nouns used in a general sense: In English, the article is often omitted with abstract nouns and nouns that refer more to a concept than a tangible item. But it still is needed in Spanish. A few examples might help clarify: La ciencia es importante. (Science is important.) Creo en la justicia. (I believe in justice.) Estudio la literatura. (I study literature.) La primavera es bella. (Spring is beautiful.)

Abstract nouns are easy to identify (justice, liberty, etc.) but nouns used in a general sense is harder to pinpoint. I usually think of countless nouns: bread, milk, cheese, because we often omit the defintie article with them in English when used in their general sense, but they too can refer to specific physical objects.

I would tend to include the definite articles in your example as they are nouns used in a general sense rather that referring to specific oils, textiles, footwear, etc., but I do not think that it is incorrect to not use them.

.

Thanks for this explanation. It helps to clear up my confusion. - Leonard-Jones, Jun 27, 2011

Answer 2

That's a great question, and I think I know the correct answer, but could stand to be corrected.

In English we generally omit the definite article before abstract nouns like these, but in Spanish, not so. Your list is a list of abstract nouns.

In English, we can let one definite article apply to two consecutive nouns: "The brother and sister went to the store." In SPanish, you need both articles: "El hermano y la hermana fueron...".

The above points being considered, yes, you need definite articles for each noun in your list.

Ojalá que sea así!

J

Nice point about repeating the articles each side of "y". That also goes for adjectives, pronouns, etc. They do not "distribute" themselves across the "y" like they do in English, but even natives often ignore that usage. - 0074b507, Jun 26, 2011

.Thanks for your response, but I must admit I'm a little confused. I thought abstract nouns were things like love, happiness, the economy, etc. i.e. things that we can't touch. Do I have it wrong? - Leonard-Jones, Jun 27, 2011