The (over)use of articles



VIVIAN ROSE

VIVIAN ROSE (26)

VIVIAN ROSE
I speak:
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I learn:
Spanish, German
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Articles in Spanish are more often used than in English. In Spanish, every noun has a "partner" article. However, in English, this is not necessary. 

Example: el libro = book; la cara = face, los invitados = guests, las manos = hands 

 

Also, the definite article in English which is "the" is much simpler because it is the only definite article, whereas in Spanish, there are four- el, la, los, las.

La justicia is ciega. ---> "The justice is blind." (wrong) BUT "Justice is blind." (correct)

El inglés es fácil. ---> "The English is easy." (wrong) BUT "English is easy." (correct)

El presidente Obama vive en los Estados Unidos. ---> "The Pres. Obama lives in the United States." (wrong) BUT "Pres. Obama lives in the United States." (correct)

 

However, there are also cases wherein articles are required in English, whereas in Spanish, arricles are not needed.

Examples:

Soy estudiante. ---> "I am student." (wrong) BUT "I am a student." (correct)

Come con cuchillo. ---> "He eats with knife." (wrong) BUT "He eats with a knife." (correct)

¡Qué hombre! ---> "What man!" (wrong) BUT "What a man!" (correct)

 

* If you know other examples, please feel free to share them here. These are just the few which I can remember for now based on the exercises I have checked on this site. 

 

Gouki

Gouki (23)

Gouki
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Spanish
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What about people?,  should I say " the people" or "people"?