Where does the article disappear?

Question

Hi!

Why come UNA naranja but come pizza? and come sandia?

Thank you in advance

Welcome to the forum:) - 00494d19, Aug 18, 2011

Welcome to the forum! - Yeser007, Aug 18, 2011

Answer 1

Usually if it does have the article it means you are eating the ENTIRE thing, if it's without the article then that usually means you only ate PART of the thing.

I ate an orange. (I ate the ENTIRE orange.)

I'm eating watermelon. (I ate part of a watermelon.)

Answer 2

Even in English you would say:

I ate an orange.

I ate pizza.

I ate watermelon.

Unless you ate an entire pizza pie or an entire watermelon:

I ate a pizza.

I ate a watermelon.

Answer 3

I guess it's sort of a common sense thing. Ask yourself "would I say 'eat a pizza' or 'eat pizza?' would I say 'eat orange' or 'eat an orange?' " What sounds natural is a fairly safe way to go when it comes to choosing this sort of thing.

Answer 4

hablo ruso

Answer 5

sigh common sense doesn't work that well for me here - in my native language we don't have articles at all So i hoped that there was a rule. well.. i keep trying then.. hope it comes someday

ah yeah, I was afraid of that. anyways as you already see, lots of people made good suggestions to remember! - unMica, Aug 18, 2011

Answer 6

What is your native language?

Answer 7

Austin, thank you! i think i got it