The 7 Italian definite articles are: il/lo/l’/la/le/i/gli.
1. What are the rules for definite articles in Italian?
1. The Definite Articles (IL, Lo, L’, La)
Italian definite articles have different forms, according to the gender and number of the noun they refer to, and according to the sound with which the word that follows begins. The definite article always goes before the noun.
A). What is Italian masculine definite article?
The definite articles for the masculine singular are il, lo and l’, and for the plural, they are i and gli.
| Masculine | Singolar | Plural |
| Words that begin with a consonant | IL | I |
| Words that begin with a vowel | L’ | Gli |
| Words starting with s + consonant, z, ps, gn, x and y | Lo | Gli |
| IL | Il Cane (The Dog) Il Gatto (The Cat) Il Libro (The Book) Il Bagno (The Bath) Il Luogo (The Place) | I | I Cani I Gatti I Libri I Bagni I Luoghi |
| L’ | L’Albero (The Tree) L’indiano (The Indian) L’Orologio (The Watch) L’Esercizio (The Exercise) L’Amico (The Friend) L’Uomo (The Man) | Gli | Gli Alberi Gli Indiani Gli Orologi Gli Esercizi Gli Amici Gli Uomini |
| Lo | Lo Studente (The Student) Lo Zio (The Uncle) Lo Psicologo (The Psychologist) Lo Gnome (The Gnome) Lo Xenofobo (The Xenophobic) Lo Yogurt (The Yogurt) | Gli | Gli Studenti Gli zii Gli Psicologi Gli Gnomi Gli Xenofobi Gli Yogurt |
B). What is Italian feminine definite article?
The definite articles for the feminine singular are la and l’; for the plural, it is le.
| Feminine | Singular | Plural |
| Words that begin with a consonant | La | Le |
| Words that begin with a vowel | L’ | Le |
| La | La Casa (The Home) La Penna (The Pen) La Macchina (The Car) La Borsa (The Bag) | Le | Le Case Le Penne Le Macchine Le Borse |
| L’ | L’Acqua (The Water) L’Auto(The Car) L’Amica (The Friend) L’Ora (The Hour) | Le | Le Acque Le Auto Le Amiche Le Ore |
Nouns ending in -a or -e can be masculine or feminine, the gender difference can only be indicated by the article.
| Sing. | Plur. | |
| Masculine | Il dentista (The Dentist) L’insegnante (The Teacher) | I dentisti Gli insegnanti |
| Feminine | La dentista (The Dentist) L’insegnante (The Teacher) | Le dentiste Le insegnante |
When do you use the definite article in Italian?
A). To indicate nouns in a specific way:
- La casa di Maria. (The house of Mary).
- Il libro di Marco. (The book of Mark).
B). With uncountable nouns:
- L’oro e l’argento sono metalli preziosi.
- Gold and silver are precious metals.
- Il caffè è la bevanda preferita degli italiani.
- Coffee is the Italians’ favorite drink.
C) .Befor abstract nouns:
- L’amore è un sentimento bellissimo.
- Love is a beautiful feeling.
- Il tempo dà e toglie tutto.
- Time gives and takes away everything
D). When the name is determined
That is, it is defined or has been previously named, it is already known.
- Ecco la ragazza che mi piace. (Here’s the girl I like).
E) .With names that indicate a category, a species.
- Il vino si fa con l’uva.
- Wine is made with grapes.
- Il cane è il miglior amico dell’uomo.
- A dog is man’s best friend.
F). With certain expressions of time and quantity.
- Il 1968 fu un anno difficile. (1968 was a difficult year).
- Sono le tre. (It’s three o’clock).
- Il due per cento. (two percent).
- 40 Km all’ora. (40 Km per hour).
G). With the geographical names of regions, states (almost all), continents, rivers, seas, lakes; but not with almost all city names.
- L’Europa è un continente. (Europe is a continent).
- Bologna è vicino a Ferrara. (Bologna is close to Ferrara).
- L’Italia ha la forma di uno stivale. (Italy has the shape of a boot).
H). With titles followed by the name or surname of the person:
- Il Signor Ferraro.(Mr. Ferraro).
- La Signora Marta.(Mrs. Marta).
- Il Dottor Monti. (Doctor Monti).
- Il Professor Gianni. (Professor Gianni).
- La Dottoressa Bruni. (Doctor Bruni).
But not when speaking directly to a person.
- Buongiorno signora Giovanna!
- Good morning Mrs. Giovanna!
- Dove abita,Dottoressa Bruni?
- Where do you live, Mr. Ferraro?
Note: Signore, Dottore, Professore and, ingegnere lose the final vowel when they are followed by the person’s name and become Signor, Dottor, professor and, ingegner
- Come sta, signor Ferraro?
- How are you, Mr. Ferraro?
Related lessons:
- Indefinite articles in Italian: Un/Uno/Una/Un’
- Partitive Articles in Italian (Del/Dello/Dell’/Della)