Definite/Indefinite articles

Question

My most common mystake when start write some dialogue is the definite/indefinite articles. I know the general rule of them

El jugo = the juice
un jugo = a juice

and same for femenine la/una and plural masculine forms los/las. But sometimes i get confused because when i see some senteces i don't see the need of articles. Like these two senteces:

Bebo jugo de naranja
Bebo un jugo de naranja

I would appreciate if you give me more examples and some advice when should/shouldn't use them . Gracias

"..and plural masculine forms los/las." sorry about that i ment plural forms. - hous4o, Mar 24, 2012

Great question! - --Mariana--, Mar 24, 2012

Answer 1

I think, as in English, we don't need to use articles when we make factual statements. Bebo jugo de naranja = I drink orange juice. Quiero un jugo de naranja = I want an orange juice ( any of that kind ). No me gustó el jugo de naranja que me dieron en el restaruante = I didn't like the orange juice that they gave me at the restaurant ( a particular orange juice ).

Answer 2

Bebo jugo de naranja. = I drink an indefinite amount of orange juice.

Bebo un jugo de naranja. = I drink a glass / a cup / a bottle of orange juice.

Answer 3

As Je-suis-ici expalined about when to use or omit articles. you can find the fdetailed expalaniion about both the usages of Definite and Indefinite Articles in the Grammar section. For now let me tell you few rules concerning when not to use definite articles; 1 Omit definite article when addressing a person with a title. Señora Ocón, ¿cómo está? 2 When the language is used a compliment to the verb (instead of the subject) we skip using the definite article Me gusta estudiar español. (I like to study Spanish.) 3 When days of the week follow a form of Ser Hoy es sábado

Answer 4

As Marlee indicated, there is a really good discussion on the uses of the articles in the Spanish Grammar section Scroll down to the 3rd topic of grammar; adjectives, adverbs, and then articles.

I like the quiz, too!