Today we are speaking about articles.
In Italian language (as in English), there are two kinds of articles: indefinite and definite.
Indefinite (we call them INDETERMINATIVI) are UN, UNO, UNA. They can be translated into "a".
UN and UNO are used for masculine names:
for instance, UN libro=a book, UN amico=a friend (m.), UNO studente=a student (m.), UNO zio=an uncle.
We use UNA for feminine names:
for example, UNA penna=a pen, UNA studentessa=a student (f.), UNA zia=an aunt.
NB: When the word begins with a vowel, UNA becomes UN': for instance, UN'amicaa friend (f.).
Definite articles (we call them DETERMINATIVI) are IL, LO, LA. They can be translated into "the".
IL and LO are used for masculine names:
for instance, IL libro=the book, LO studente=a student (m.), LO zio=an uncle.
We use LA for feminine names:
for example, LA penna=a pen, LA studentessa=a student (f.), LA zia=an aunt.
NB: When the word begins with a vowel, LO and LA becomes L': for instance, L'amico=the friend (m.) and L'amica=the friend (f.).
Definite articles have plural forms which are I, GLI, LE. They can still be translated into "the".
I and GLI are used for masculine names:
for instance, I libri=the books, GLI amici=the friends (m.), GLI studenti=the students (m.), GLI zii=the uncles.
We use LE for feminine names:
for example, LE penne=the pens, LE amiche=the friends (f.) LE studentesse=the students (f.), LE zie=the aunts.
If you want to have a lesson about articles, get in touch with me.