El Aprendizaje

Question

I looked up the word for learning and the translator gave me "el aprendizaje." This confuses me because it has "el" at the beginning of it like a noun. Am I missing something or is this the wrong.

Answer 1

When you search for "learning", it is interpreting that as a noun. "To learn" is the appropriate way to look for the verb form. "Learning" is the act not the action. For example, you could say,

Learning is made difficult when there are distractions in the classroom.

Since it is the subject of the sentence, the word "learning" is probably a noun.

I hope this helps!

Good answer! - --Mariana--, Aug 7, 2012

Oh! Thank you. That makes more sense now. - miklpikl, Aug 7, 2012

Answer 2

Good question, Mikl. Welcome to the forum!

This article may help you a bit Use and Omission of the Definite Article because the use of definite articles in Spanish are sometimes difficult and confusing.

Here are two of the cases where in Spanish the definite article is required---

• With generic nouns: These are nouns that refer to a concept or to a substance in general or a member of a class in general, rather than a specific one (where the article would be required in both languages). No preferiría el despotismo. (I wouldn't prefer despotism.) Esto es la realidad de la vida. (This is the reality of life.) El trigo es nutritivo. (Wheat is nutritious.) Los americanos son ricos. (Americans are rich.) Los derechistas no deben votar. (Right-wingers ought not to vote.) Escogí la cristianidad. (I chose Christianity.)

• With infinitives used as subjects: El entender es difícil. (Understanding is difficult.) El fumar está prohibido. (Smoking is prohibited.)

It is helpful to know about infinitives in Spanish. Thanks for the help! - miklpikl, Aug 7, 2012