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"El" is a form of "el", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "Arca" is a noun which is often translated as "chest". Learn more about the difference between "el" and "arca" below.
el(
ehl
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
el arca, la arca(
ahr
-
kah
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (large box)
a. chest
Los exploradores hallaron un arca llena de monedas de oro.The explorers found a chest full of gold coins.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (boat)
a. ark
Noé construyó su arca para poder sobrevivir al Diluvio Universal.Noah built his ark so as to survive the Flood.
3. (strongbox)
a. safe
Siempre guardo las pertenencias de valor en un arca cuando me quedo en un hotel.I always keep my valuables in a safe when I stay at a hotel.