Definite and indefinite articles in Italian
Italian ⋙
Italian A1
Welcome to our Italian grammar course for beginners! Today we`re going to talk about the articles.
Now, what are these articles, you ask? Well, articles are those tiny words that go before nouns to tell us if the noun is specific or general. Think of them as the wingmen (or wingwomen) of nouns, always there to introduce them to the world!
In Italian, articles (articoli) are used to indicate the gender and number of nouns. There are definite articles (articoli determinativi) and indefinite articles (articoli indeterminativi).
Definite Articles (Articoli Determinativi)
Definite articles specify a particular noun and are equivalent to "
the" in English. In Italian, the definite articles change depending on the number and gender of the noun.
Singular
Masculine: "il" is used before masculine nouns starting with a consonant except those beginning with z, s + consonant, gn, ps, or a vowel, e.g., il libro (the book);
Masculine: "lo" is used before masculine nouns starting with z, s followed by a consonant, gn, ps, e.g., lo stadio (a stadium);
Feminine: "la" is used before feminine nouns starting with a consonant, e.g., la casa (the house);
Feminine and Masculine: "l`" is used before feminine and masculine nouns starting with a vowel or silent "h," e.g., l`acqua (the water), l`uomo (a man).
Plural
Masculine: "i" is used before masculine plural nouns, e.g., i libri (the books);
Masculine: "gli" is used before masculine nouns that start with the letters z, s followed by a consonant, gn, ps, or x, e.g., i libri (the books), gli studenti (the students);
Feminine: "le" is used before feminine plural nouns, e.g., le case (the houses).
Indefinite Articles (Articoli Indeterminativi)
Indefinite articles refer to non-specific or unidentified nouns and are equivalent to "a/an" in English. In Italian, the indefinite articles also change based on gender and number.
Singular
Masculine: "un" is used before masculine nouns starting with a consonant except those beginning with z, s + consonant, gn, ps, e.g., un libro (a book);
Masculine: "uno" is used before masculine nouns starting with consonants z, s + consonant, gn or ps, e.g., uno zio (an uncle);
Feminine: "una" is used before feminine nouns starting with a consonant, e.g., una casa (a house);
Feminine: "un`" is used before feminine nouns starting with silent "h" or a vowel, e.g., un`idea (an idea).
Plural
Masculine: "dei" is used before plural masculine nouns, e.g., dei libri (some books);
Masculine: "degli" is used before masculine nouns starting with consonants x, z, s + consonant, gn, ps, e.g., degli zaini (some backpacks);
Feminine: "delle" is used before plural feminine nouns, e.g., delle case (some houses).
Notes
It`s important to note that Italian articles agree in number and gender with the nouns they accompany. This means that you need to use the definite article for nouns that are masculine or feminine, singular or plural.
Additionally, articles are used in Italian more frequently than in English. They are used in various contexts, including with general concepts, specific objects, abstract ideas, professions, nationalities, and more. Proper usage of articles is crucial for grammatically correct Italian sentences.
It`s recommended to practice using articles with different nouns to reinforce their usage and agreement. As you continue to practice and engage with the Italian language, you`ll become more confident in using articles correctly.