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"La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the", and "las" is a definite article which is also often translated as "the". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "las" 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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las(
lahs
)
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
¡Un aplauso para las ganadoras!Let's give the winners a big hand!
¡Mira lo que has hecho! ¡Has roto las sillas!Look at what you did! You broke the chairs!
a. the ones
He picado unas cebollas. Eché las que estaban podridas.I chopped up some onions. I threw out the ones that were rotten.
¡Qué lindas chompas! Me gustan las verdes.What nice sweaters! I like the green ones.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Las mentiras duelen.Lies hurt.
Le encantan las matemáticas.She loves math.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. them (direct object)
¿Has visto mis llaves? Las dejé aquí en la mesa.Have you seen my keys? I left them here on the table.
5. (second person plural feminine)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. you (direct object)
Chicas, las vi pasar el otro día, pero no tuve tiempo para saludarlas.Hey girls, I saw you go past the other day, but I didn't have time to say hello.
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