Question 1

When do I use 'el' vs 'la'?

Accepted Answer

Use 'el' with masculine singular nouns (e.g., el chico) and 'la' with feminine singular nouns (e.g., la chica). The gender of a noun is usually indicated by its ending: -o is often masculine, -a is often feminine. However, there are exceptions (e.g., el día is masculine, la mano is feminine), so you need to learn the gender of each noun.

Question 2

What is 'lo' in Spanish and how do I use it?

Accepted Answer

'Lo' is a neuter article used to turn an adjective into an abstract noun. For example, 'lo bueno' means 'the good thing' or 'what is good'. It is always used with a masculine singular adjective and never changes. You can use it to make general statements like 'Lo mejor es estudiar' (The best thing is to study).

Question 3

Do I always need to use an article in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

No, there are cases where articles are omitted. For example, after the verb 'ser' with professions (Soy médico), with days of the week (Hoy es lunes), and in some fixed expressions (en casa, sin problema). Also, when talking about an unspecified quantity, you may omit the article in negative sentences (No tengo dinero).

Question 4

What is the difference between 'un' and 'uno'?

Accepted Answer

'Un' is the masculine singular indefinite article used before a noun (e.g., un libro). 'Uno' is a pronoun meaning 'one' (e.g., Quiero uno = I want one). They are not interchangeable. Similarly, 'una' is the feminine article (e.g., una casa), and 'una' can also be a pronoun (e.g., Tengo una = I have one).

Question 5

How do I know if a noun is masculine or feminine?

Accepted Answer

Most nouns ending in -o are masculine (el libro), and most ending in -a are feminine (la casa). But there are exceptions: el problema (masculine), la mano (feminine). Nouns ending in -ción, -sión, -dad, -tad are usually feminine (la canción, la ciudad). Nouns ending in -ista can be both (el/la artista). The best way is to learn the article with the noun.

Question 6

Can I use 'lo' with any adjective?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use 'lo' with any masculine singular adjective to create an abstract noun. For example: lo difícil (the difficult thing), lo nuevo (the new thing), lo interesante (the interesting thing). However, avoid using it with adjectives that already refer to a specific noun – 'lo' is only for general concepts.

Grammar (Foundation): Articles – definite and indefinite; lo plus adjective

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

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Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Spanish

Appendix A: Prescribed Vocabulary List (organised by theme/sub-theme)

Appendix B: Grammar Requirements – Foundation Tier

Current and Future Study and Employment

Current Study – School/College Life

How to Revise Grammar (Foundation): Articles – definite and indefinite; lo plus adjective — WJEC GCSE Spanish

Examiner Tips for Grammar (Foundation): Articles – definite and indefinite; lo plus adjective

Common Mistakes in Grammar (Foundation): Articles – definite and indefinite; lo plus adjective

Key Marking Points