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In Italian, definite articles are words that take the meaning "THE", when paired with a noun. Articles don't really have a meaning on their own; they must always accompany an appropriate noun.
Definite articles must agree with nouns in number and gender, and they always come before the noun. Examples:
In the above examples, the articles le and il refer to a definite object (keys) and a definite person (math professor). Because definite articles must agree with nouns in number and gender, they have masculine, feminine, singular, and plural forms. |
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DEFINITE ARTICLES ARE USED...
1. To indicate something unique and definite: ' la casa di Vittorio è verde. Victor's house is green. 2. In front of professions that are followed by a name: l’architetto Rossi è molto bravo. Architect Rossi is very good. 3. When describing physical attributes and clothes: Ha le mani fredde, per questo usa i guanti. She has cold hands, so she uses gloves. 4. With most possessive pronouns and adjectives: il mio cane my dog 5. With family surnames: i signori Rossi sono già arrivati. The Rossi's have already arrived. 6. With dates, when they are not preceded by the day of the week: il 25 dicembre è Natale. The 25th of December is Christmas. 7. With abstract nouns: La pazienza è la virtù dei forti. Patience is the virtue of the strong. 8. When describing colors: I tuoi occhi sono come l’azzurro del cielo. Your eyes are like the blue of the sky. 9. When speaking about cities of a certain time period: La Roma di antichità The Rome of antiquity DEFINITE ARTICLES ARE NOT USED... 1. With possessive pronouns and adjectives preceding a singular family member: Mio padre ha 50 anni. My father is 50 years old. 2. When speaking of cities in general: Torino, Roma e Milano sono le città più grandi d’Italia. Turin, Rome, and Milan are the biggest cities in Italy 3. In front of people's names: Ho visto Roberto e Francesca al parco. I saw Robert and Francesca at the park. |
