Spanish nouns--the specific and the general

Question

I realised that definite articles are used a lot more often in Spanish than English. In English for example we can drop "the" and this will change the meaning. For example:

• the beavers live here (meaning a specific group of beavers)
• beavers are mammals (meaning, in general, all beavers, the whole species of beavers)

Can we do the same in Spanish?

I have this piece of writing where I have to talk about beavers. sometimes about a specific group of beavers and sometimes meaning beavers as a species and I want to make it clear.

So in the first paragraph, I talk about a specific and unusaul group of beavers in England. Knowing this may be confusing later, I keep using "este". For example: "Estos castores viven in el Río Otter en Inglaterra."

Now the problem comes with the second paragraph. Government scientists say that beavers (as a species) have not been part of the natural ecosystem of England for the last 500 years.

I thought to use "los castores" might be confusing so I came up with 2 options to make clear I mean all beavers in general:

1. Según los científicos gubernamentales, castores no forman parte del ecosistema natural de Inglaterra durante los último cinco siglos. (like in English--no article in front of castores)

2. Según los científicos gubernamentales, la especie de los castores no forma parte del ecosistema natural de Inglaterra durante los último cinco siglos.

Are either of the above two options okay? Your corrections and comments are appreciated.

I wish I could tell you, but I'm not going to guess. Maybe a native speaker will answer (check the profile of anyone who answers to be sure). I wish you all the best in this. - Jubilado, Oct 29, 2014

Answer 1

I don't know if i really understood your question,but i'm trying to answer it.

The first sentence is not correct. In spanish the article is mandatory before a common name as subject. So you must use "los" before "castores".

If the subject is a proper name (Antonio, Michael,Toby, etc..) you must not use article (Although many people use the article before a proper name if they are talking about anybody familiar "el Paco, la Mari,..", but is not correct).

The second sentence is correct,but it would be not necessary to add "la especie de" before "los castores".

In general:

1) When you are talking about any "general" group you only must use the articles: "el, la, los or las".

2) When you are talking about any "specific" group you can:

• Use only the same articles as (1)
• Add some word like this or these: "Estos castores" (This beavers)
• Add more information in the sentence: "Los castores de los que estamos hablando,.." (The beavers that we are talking about,..)

I don't know if you were looking for this answer but i do my best.

Sorry for my english, it is not quite good

Thanks! - Jacky658, Oct 30, 2014

You understood my question perfectly and your advice was spot on. I have gained some important insghts: - Jacky658, Oct 30, 2014

These were the important insights I gained: 1) articles are mandatory in Spanish for common noun subjects (unlike English--must burn this rule in). 2) Los,castores means "beavers in general (again unlike English) 3) How to mark specific cases - Jacky658, Oct 30, 2014