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The presence or absence of articles in Spanish is one of the most confusing issues for English speakers, as it often doesn't match the English rules.
Using the definite articles in Spanish with nouns as subjects
One common mistake is omitting the definite article el/la/los/las at the beginning of a sentence when they are accompanying nouns that are the subject of the sentence. Let's have a look at some examples:
Los políticos españoles están discutiendo asuntos sobre Gibraltar.Spanish politicians are discussing some issues about Gibraltar.
Notice how in all the examples above we need the article in Spanish but not in English.
It would be incorrect to say:
"Café cambia el color de los dientes."
"Latinoamericanos tienen una historia y cultura muy rica."
the same way it would be incorrect to say in English:
"The coffee changes the colour of your teeth."
The Latin Americans have a very rich history and culture.
Here are other examples:
La generosidad es la cualidad que más aprecio en mi pareja.Generosity is the quality I most appreciate in my partner.
El turismo contribuye en gran medida a la economía local de este pueblo.Tourism contributes greatly to the local economy of this village.
Bear in mind that sometimes in English this type of sentence becomes more specific, and the articles are used.
"The heat in Seville is unbearable in August."
"El calor en Sevilla es insoportable en agosto."
But the difference is that in Spanish both in general subjects and specific ones the definite article is always needed.
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