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QUICK ANSWER
"El" is a form of "el", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "La indígena" is a form of "indígena", an adjective which is often translated as "indigenous". Learn more about the difference between "el" and "la indígena" below.
el(
ehl
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
indígena, el indígena, la indígena(
een
-
dee
-
heh
-
nah
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. indigenous
El gobierno quiere preservar el folclor y las tradiciones indígenas.The government wants to preserve the indigenous folklore and traditions.
b. native
La comunidad indígena no está de acuerdo con la tala del bosque.The native community is against the clearing of the forest.
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).
a. native
Este parque natural está protegido por los indígenas que habitan la zona.This natural park is protected by the natives that inhabit the area.
