Always using the definite article to say what you are good/bad at

Question

The explanation says we always have to use the definite article with the activity. The example given there is tennis:...se me da bien al tenis. But in the quiz the correct response is "No se me da bien arreglar cosas". Is arreglar cosas not an activity? We have to actively arrange things/matters.

Thank you,

Sheila

Silvia Piriz · Accepted Answer

Hola Sheila D.
You're absolutely right that both "el tenis" and "arreglar cosas" are activities, but the difference lies in the type of noun or phrase that follows the verb.
When referring to a specific, singular noun activity (like el tenis, el fútbol, la cocina), Spanish generally uses the definite article.
However, when you use an infinitive verb (arreglar, cantar, conducir, etc.), or a verb phrase like arreglar cosas, the article is not needed.
So, in “Se me da bien el tenis”, the article is required because tenis is a noun. In “No se me da bien arreglar cosas”, arreglar cosas is an infinitive phrase, and no article is used. It's a subtle distinction, but an important one!
Un saludo
Silvia