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"Las" is a form of "las", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "Les" is a pronoun which is often translated as "them". Learn more about the difference between "las" and "les" below.
las(
lahs
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
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. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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).
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) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
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.
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.
