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"La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the", and "su" is an adjective which is often translated as "his". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "su" 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).
su(
soo
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. his (masculine) (singular)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Hiciste su tarea por él?Did you do his homework for him?
b. her (feminine) (singular)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Sabes dónde está el cargador de su teléfono?Do you know where the charger is for her phone?
c. its (singular)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Esta es su perrera.This is its doghouse.
2. (formal) (possessive; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
