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Definite Articles

In Italian, definite articles are used more frequently than in English. They agree in gender and number with the noun they modify:

• Masculine singular: "il" (before consonants), "lo" (before s + consonant, z, ps, gn), "l'" (before vowels)
• Feminine singular: "la" (before consonants), "l'" (before vowels)
• Masculine plural: "i" (before consonants), "gli" (before vowels, s + consonant, z, ps, gn)
• Feminine plural: "le" (all cases)

Examples:

• Il libro (the book)
• Lo zaino (the backpack)
• L'amico (the friend, masculine)
• La casa (the house)
• L'amica (the friend, feminine)
• I libri (the books)
• Gli zaini (the backpacks)
• Le case (the houses)

Indefinite Articles

Indefinite articles in Italian also agree in gender with the noun:

• Masculine: "un" (before consonants and vowels), "uno" (before s + consonant, z, ps, gn)
• Feminine: "una" (before consonants), "un'" (before vowels)

Examples:

• Un libro (a book)
• Uno zaino (a backpack)
• Un amico (a friend, masculine)
• Una casa (a house)
• Un'amica (a friend, feminine)

Usage Tips

1. Use definite articles with general categories: "I cani sono animali fedeli" (Dogs are loyal animals)
2. Include articles with possessive adjectives: "Il mio libro" (My book)
3. Use articles with names of languages: "L'italiano è una bella lingua" (Italian is a beautiful language)
4. Omit articles with unmodified names of cities and people: "Roma è bellissima" (Rome is beautiful)