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"La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the", and "les" is a pronoun which is often translated as "them". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "les" 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).
les(
lehs
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. them
Vi a unos niños haciendo fuego en un solar. - ¿Puedes describirles?I saw some boys light a fire in a vacant lot. - Can you describe them?
3. (second person plural; indirect object) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
4. (formal) (second person plural; direct object) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. you
Alicia irá con ustedes para familiarizarles con nuestras instalaciones.Alicia will accompany you to familiarize you with our facilities.
