La translating into different meanings

Question

Why does "la" translate to "your" and not "the" In English? Example "quítate la ropa" translates to "take off your clothes" but "la ropa" translates to "the clothes" so why isn't there "the"?

Accepted Answer

Hola María
This is because we often use the definite article el, la, los, las instead of the possessives when it is obvious that you're referring to the same person's clothes. Have a look here. 
Saludos

Answer

So possesive adjectives are replaced, yes and also when refering to parts of the body. Lavo los manos >I wash my handsI have a headache< lit. My head aches as it would appear in spanish literally.