when to use el/la/los/las?

fred b.A1Kwiziq community member

when to use el/la/los/las?

Hola

1.Mi madre prepara el almuerzo a la una y media.My mum prepares lunch at half past one.
Do you have to say "el almuerzo" instead of just "almuerzo"?
2.Salgo de casa a las ocho en punto.I leave the house at eight o'clock precisely.
why is it "casa" instead of "la casa"?
Gracias,Fred

Asked 4 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Fred

1. we use the article "el" because it is referring to something specific. In English it's not needed but you do in Spanish.

2. Salir de casa is a set expression and here we don't use the article - You could use it if you want but it would sound a bit less natural. I guess we don't use the article because we don't need to be specific - when you say you leave the house it is clear that you leave your own house.

Saludos

Inma

fred b. asked:

when to use el/la/los/las?

Hola

1.Mi madre prepara el almuerzo a la una y media.My mum prepares lunch at half past one.
Do you have to say "el almuerzo" instead of just "almuerzo"?
2.Salgo de casa a las ocho en punto.I leave the house at eight o'clock precisely.
why is it "casa" instead of "la casa"?
Gracias,Fred

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