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"La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the", and "se" is a pronoun which is often translated as "themselves". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "se" 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).
se(
seh
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (reflexive)
2. (reciprocal)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se dice que ganó su fortuna jugando al póquer.People say he won his fortune playing poker.
Se habla español.Spanish is spoken here.
