Definite Article Use - Confused

Question

I am confused when one should use a definite article.

If I wanted to say "the apple" I would say "la manzana," right?

Well, what about if I just wanted to say "apple." Would I still have to say "la manzana" even though I am saying apple and NOT the apple?

Here's an example sentence: "En el verano yo miro la televisión." (In the summer, I watch television.)

Does the "la" before television NEED to be there? I am not saying "I am going to watch the television," I'm saying "I'm going to watch television."

Great question...I wish there was a rule, but I don't think there is. Susy ueed to catch me on these all the time. - 007c5fc1, Aug 14, 2014

"En verano miro televisión" is right and if you wanna say "apple" then say "manzana" :) but I don't know the "rule" because both are right "miro la tv" and "miro tv" - 003e54f5, Aug 14, 2014

Remember, "el" is masculine and "la" is feminine. - rac1, Aug 14, 2014

Whenever you might want to use them in a sentence. - rac1, Aug 14, 2014

Thank you, but that's not what I'm confused about. - Sheesh4, Aug 14, 2014

I realize that, amiga. It's just for future reference. :) - rac1, Aug 14, 2014

Answer 1

Check these links out, Sheesh.

Spanish grammar topics

Click on the link and then scroll down to "Articles." There you will find a whole section on this subject.

If you do a search, you will find many answers to your questions. Meaning a lot of questions have been previously answered, many by native Spanish speakers. A wealth of information.

:) - ian-hill, Aug 14, 2014