a
vs
the

QUICK ANSWER

"A" is an indefinite article which is often translated as "un", and "the" is a definite article which is often translated as "el". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "the" below.

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An indefinite article is a word that indicates that a noun is not specific (e.g., a girl).

indefinite article

1. (singular article)

a. un (masculine)

Give me a pencil.Dame un lápiz.

b. una (feminine)

Can I have a pear?¿Me das una pera?

A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).

preposition

2. (per)

a. por

I am paid $85 a day.Me pagan $85 por día.

A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).

noun

3. (letter)

a. la a

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

My name starts with an A.Mi nombre empieza con una A.

4. (grade)

a. el sobresaliente

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I got an A on all my exams.Saqué sobresaliente en todos los exámenes.

b. la A

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

If I get an A, my parents will buy me a new phone.Si saco una A, mis padres me comprarán un nuevo celular.

c. el 10

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I was a good student. I used to get straight A's.Yo era un buen estudiante. Me sacaba siempre 10.

5. (music)

a. el la

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

Juan played an improvisation in A minor.Juan improvisó en la menor.

b. la A

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

Can you sing an A, please?¿Puedes cantar una A, por favor?

An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").

abbreviation

6. (ampere or amperes)

a. A

How many N is 1 A?¿A cuántos N equivale 1 A?

The intensity of this electric current is 10 A.La intensidad de esta corriente eléctrica es de 10 A.

the(

thuh

)

A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).