Weird Definite Articles Flashcards
When you’re talking about parts of the body and bodily actions,
use the definite article. The English adjectives my, your, his and so on are not translated.
Dammi la mano. Give me your hand. Mi fa male il piede. My foot is hurting. Soffiati il naso! Blow your nose!
● Use the definite article when talking about clothes. Si è tolto il cappotto. He took off his coat. Mettiti le scarpe. Put your shoes on.
● Use the definite article with the time, dates and years.
● Use the definite article with the time, dates and years. all’una at one o’clock alle due at two o’clock Era l’una. It was one o’clock. Sono le due. It’s two o’clock.
Sono nata il primo maggio 2001. I was born on May 1 2001.
● Use the definite article with words such as my, your, and his.
la mia casa my house
le sue figlie her daughters
i vostri amici your friends
When you talk about how much something costs per pound, per kilo, and so on; about rates, speeds, and about how often something happens:
use the word a and the definite article. Costano 3 euro al chilo. They cost 3 euro a kilo.
70 km all’ora 70 km an hour
50.000 dollari al mese 50,000 dollars per month
due volte alla settimana twice a week
Referring to people using titles vs speaking to them directly
You use the definite article when you are referring to people by using their titles, but NOT when you are speaking to them directly.
La signora Rossi è qui. Mrs. Rossi is here.
Il dottor Gentile Doctor Gentile
BUT Scusi, signora Rossi. Excuse me, Mrs. Rossi.
