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"Al" is a form of "al", a contraction which is often translated as "to the". "La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "al" below.
la(
lah
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
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).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
al(
ahl
)A contraction is a shortened form of a word or group of words made by omitting a sound or letter (e.g., don't).
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Cuánto tardas en ir al trabajo?How long does it take you to go to work?
Este año no viajaremos al extranjero.We won't be going abroad this year.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Súbete al muro para ver mejor.Get up on the wall to get a better view.
Se subió al coche y se fue.He got in the car and left.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me gusta hacer ejercicio al aire libre.I like exercising outdoors.
Nos sentamos al fondo de la sala.We sat at the back of the room.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. when
Al decirle que tenía que ponerse a trabajar, Josué se enfadó mucho con su hermana.When she told him he needed to get to work, Josue got really mad at his sister.
b. as
Al no poder encontrar trabajo, Mark decidió emigrar.As he couldn't find a job, Mark decided to emigrate.
c. by
Al nombrarme vocero del movimiento, Carlos me dejó ver que confía en mí.By appointing me spokesman of the movement, Carlos let me know he trusts me.
