Definite Articles in Italian

Definite Articles In English, a definite article is the word THE. In Italian, definite articles also refer to the word THE, however, there are several forms which are used, depending upon the gender and number of the noun the article precedes.

Masculine Definite Articles Singular Forms il - used before singular, masculine nouns that begin with a consonant. For example: il ragazzo the boy

Masculine Definite Articles Singular Forms l’ - used before singular,masculine nouns that begin with vowels. For example: l’albero the tree

lo - used with singular nouns that begin with the letter ‘z’ or s impure* For example: lo sbaglio the mistake * S impure refers to words that begin with the letter ‘s’ followed by a consonant.

Masculine Definite Articles Plural Forms i – used in front of plural nouns that begin with a consonant. gli – used in front of plural nouns that begin with a vowel. gli – used in front of plural nouns that begin with the letter ‘z’ or ‘s’ impure.

Plural examples i ragazzi the boys gli alberi the trees gli sbaglii the mistakes

Feminine Articles la – used before singluar, feminine nouns that begin with a consonant. For example: la casa the house

Feminine Articles l’ - used before singular, feminine nouns that begin with a vowel. For example: l’ora the hour

Feminine Articles le - used before any plural, feminine nouns. For example: le case the houses le ore the hours