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"Que" is a conjunction which is often translated as "that", and "la" is a definite article which is often translated as "the". Learn more about the difference between "que" and "la" below.
que(
keh
)
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
conjunction
a. that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.Note that some of these characteristics are different.
a. than
Es más barato comprar el libro en la librería que comprarlo online.It's cheaper to buy the book in the bookshop than to buy it online.
Mi hermano es más alto que yo.My brother is taller than me.
b. to
Prefiero las tiendas pequeñas que los grandes supermercados.I prefer small stores to big supermarkets.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. who (person)
El hombre que le salvó la vida a mi bebé está aquí.The man who saved my baby's life is here.
b. which (thing)
El libro que más ha influido en mí es este.The book which has had the greatest influence on me is this one.
c. that (thing)
El pastel que me encanta es el de chocolate.The cake that I love is chocolate cake.
a. who (person)
Vi a la mujer que trabaja en el spa.I saw the woman who works in the spa.
b. that (thing)
¡Enséñame el vestido que llevaste en la fiesta!Show me the dress that you wore to the party!
Ese es el teléfono que yo quiero.That's the phone that I want.
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la(
lah
)
A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
definite article
a. the
La pelota está en el tejado.The ball is on the roof.
La leche está en el refrigerador.The milk is in the refrigerator.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. her
Quiero conocer a tu esposa. Si puedes, tráela la próxima vez.I want to meet your wife. If you can, bring her next time.
b. it
La carne que probamos estaba deliciosa. ¿Podemos comerla en la cena?The meat we tried was delicious. Can we have it for dinner?
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. A
"Toca un la", le dijo el cantante al pianista."Give me an A," said the singer to the pianist.
b. la (solfège)
La canción va así: "la, si, la, do".The song goes like this: "la, ti, la, do."
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