Use of definite articles: el & la and los & las 16 July 2023
Dear Kwiziq Lesson Writing Team:
I am uncertain as to when I must (or should) use the definite articles "el/la" or "los/las" when translating from English to Spanish. See following examples from the "Fire Heroes/Héroes del fuego" exercise:
Example 1:
"...protect buildings and save lives in danger"
I wrote: "...proteger los edificios y salvar las vidas en peligro."
The Kwiziq answer was: "...proteger edificios y salvar vidas en peligro."
Example 2:
"These professionals protect forests and natural areas..."
I wrote: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."
The Kwiziq answer was: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."
As you can see, in neither of the English translations is a definite article included.
In Example 1, my use of "los" was accepted, but my use of "las" was not. Upon studying the final Kwiziq translation, I noticed that neither "los" nor "las" had been used in the translation of that phrase. Then in Example 2, I used "los" and "las". To my delight (and surprise) I saw that in the Kwiziq translation "los" and "las" were used as well.
So --- I am confused and uncertain as to WHEN (under what specific circumstances?) is it necessary, appropriate, or customary to use el/la and los/las. I know they must be used at the start of a sentence and (I believe) after some uses of gustar, but what about other circumstances?
Please upload lessons that offer specific examples (and explanations) about when to use these definite articles.
Your attention to this request would be very greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Pati Ecuamiga
I've seen both qué and cuánto in exclamatory sentences. I understand when it's clearly the number of something ( ¡Cuántos gatos! ) but when it's something less countable (e.g. "¡Qué orgulloso!" or "¡Cuánto orgulloso!" how do you tell which one to use?
this is 'to him' which is to me should us le not lo.
Don't bother answering, no one ever answers me here anyway
Without the pop ups this would have been difficult to understand. It lacks the clear sound and prosidy of my favorite lady hispanohablantes. However, another worthwhile experience . . .
Is it because conseguir refers to a person not a thing?
Ellos no _la dejaban_______ pasar. They wouldn't let her through.
Hola,
Me confunde mucho el uso de ¨ser¨y ¨estar¨ en la voz pasiva. ¿Podrían ustedes aclararlo?
Gracias.
Hola, I’m confused about the English translation, which uses the noun make-up (maquillaje in Spanish). However the Spanish uses the verb se maquilla, which I thought means to put on make up (Because of all the makeup she puts on..). Muchas gracias, Shirley.
Hello, is Espero verle pronto usable in LATAM contexts? or is this only leismo from Spain? Why isn't it Espero verlo pronto
?Son iguales, no?:
Hace anos iba a esa clase
Hace anos solia ir a esa clase.
16 July 2023
Dear Kwiziq Lesson Writing Team:
I am uncertain as to when I must (or should) use the definite articles "el/la" or "los/las" when translating from English to Spanish. See following examples from the "Fire Heroes/Héroes del fuego" exercise:
Example 1:
"...protect buildings and save lives in danger"
I wrote: "...proteger los edificios y salvar las vidas en peligro."
The Kwiziq answer was: "...proteger edificios y salvar vidas en peligro."
Example 2:
"These professionals protect forests and natural areas..."
I wrote: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."
The Kwiziq answer was: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."
As you can see, in neither of the English translations is a definite article included.
In Example 1, my use of "los" was accepted, but my use of "las" was not. Upon studying the final Kwiziq translation, I noticed that neither "los" nor "las" had been used in the translation of that phrase. Then in Example 2, I used "los" and "las". To my delight (and surprise) I saw that in the Kwiziq translation "los" and "las" were used as well.
So --- I am confused and uncertain as to WHEN (under what specific circumstances?) is it necessary, appropriate, or customary to use el/la and los/las. I know they must be used at the start of a sentence and (I believe) after some uses of gustar, but what about other circumstances?
Please upload lessons that offer specific examples (and explanations) about when to use these definite articles.
Your attention to this request would be very greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Pati Ecuamiga
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