Spanish grammar
El, la, un, una
Name things around the house.
From the scene ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?)
In short
Masculine nouns take el or un; feminine nouns take la or una. Nouns in -o are usually masculine, -a feminine.
- the (masc.) el
- the (fem.) la
- a (masc.) un
- a (fem.) una
Your turn
Which one goes with the (fem.)?
Options: la · el · un
Show answer
the (fem.) → la
How it works
Every Spanish noun is masculine or feminine. Masculine nouns take el (the) or un (a): el baño, un sofá.
Good to know
Feminine nouns take la or una: la cocina, una ventana. Words ending in -o are usually masculine, and words ending in -a are usually feminine.
the (masc.) el
Ramón
Y esto es el baño.
And this is the bathroom.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Y esto es (blank) baño.
Options: la · un · el
Show answer
Ramón
Y esto es el baño.
And this is the bathroom.
the (fem.) la
Ramón
Esto es la cocina.
This is the kitchen.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Esto es (blank) cocina.
Options: un · la · el
Show answer
Ramón
Esto es la cocina.
This is the kitchen.
a (masc.) un
Ramón
Y hay un sofá.
And there is a sofa.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Y hay (blank) sofá.
Options: el · la · un
Show answer
Ramón
Y hay un sofá.
And there is a sofa.
a (fem.) una
Ramón
Hay una ventana. Muy bonita.
There is a window. Very pretty.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Hay (blank) ventana. Muy bonita.
Options: una · el · la
Show answer
Ramón
Hay una ventana. Muy bonita.
There is a window. Very pretty.
Common mistake
Not una here. Sofá is masculine (an exception).
Y hay un sofá.
And there is a sofa.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| the (masc.) | el |
|---|---|
| the (fem.) | la |
| a (masc.) | un |
| a (fem.) | una |
More lines from the story
- Ramón¿La cama? Mmm... no hay cama.The bed? Hmm... there is no bed.
- Nuria¿Dónde está la cama?Where is the bed?