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"El" is a form of "el", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "Gemelo" is an adjective which is often translated as "twin". Learn more about the difference between "el" and "gemelo" below.
el(
ehl
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
gemelo(
heh
-
meh
-
loh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
2. (relative)
b. identical twin
Marcos y Martín son mellizos; no son gemelos.Marcos and Martin are fraternal twins; they aren't identical twins.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
3. (anatomy)
a. calf muscle
Me lastimé el gemelo porque salí a correr sin calentar primero.I injured my calf muscle, because I went out running without warming up first.
4. (clothing)
a. cuff link
Le regalé unos gemelos a mi padre para su camisa de vestir.I gave my dad some cuff links for his dress shirt.
los gemelos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. binoculars
Pásame los gemelos para ver mejor aquel elefante. Hand me the binoculars so I can see that elephant better.
b. opera glasses
Siempre me llevo los gemelos al teatro para poder ver las expresiones en las caras de los actores. I always bring my opera glasses to the theater so I can see the expressions on the actors' faces.
