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"La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the", and "ir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to go". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "ir" below.
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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ir(
eer
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to go
Ayer Ana y yo fuimos al cine.Yesterday, Ana and I went to the movies.
a. to go
Por aquí no se va a la estación.This is not the way to go to the station.
a. to be
¿Has ido alguna vez a Chile?Have you ever been to Chile?
a. to go
¿Cómo te van los estudios?How's college going?
a. to go
Los platos van en el armario.Dishes go in the cupboard.
a. to go
El festival va del primero de abril hasta el primero de mayo.The festival goes from April first to May first.
a. to wear
Iba con botas amarillas.She wore yellow boots.
b. to be dressed in (color)
Iba de verde por el día de San Patricio.She was dressed in green for St. Patrick's Day.
a. to work
El portátil va bien.The laptop works well.
b. to run
Mi carro ha ido sin problema durante años.My car has run without an issue for years.
a. to be on
Voy por la página 50 de "San Manuel Bueno, mártir".I'm on page 50 of "San Manuel Bueno, Martyr."
a. to study to be
Mi primo va para cocinero.My cousin is studying to be a cook.
a. to go
Mi hermana va a la primaria al lado de la estación de bomberos.My sister goes to the elementary school next to the firestation.
a. to look
¡Vas muy guapa! Me encanta tu vestido.You look gorgeous! I love your dress.
a. to go with
Esa camisa roja no le va a ese pantalón amarillo.That red shirt doesn't go with those yellow pants.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to go
¡Papá va a cocinar una cena espectacular!Dad is going to cook a wonderful dinner!
a. to be
Voy planificando la fiesta.I am planning the party.
irse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to leave
El alumno se fue de la biblioteca muy tarde.The student left the library very late.
b. to go
¡Vámonos! El camión nos va a dejar.Let's go! The bus is going to leave us behind.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
A la piscina se le fue todo el agua.All the water leaked from the pool.
A la llanta se le fue el aire.The tire went flat.
a. to die
Se nos fue muy joven.He died too young.
a. to go away
Con esta pastilla se te irá el dolor.This pill will make the pain go away.
a. to forget
¿Cómo se llama ese hombre? Lo sabía, pero se me fue.What's that man's name? I knew it, but I forgot.
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