There are some confusing rules for saying “the “ [the definite article] in Italian but they are not so bad if you learn a few at a time. You really need to know this, because you need to get “the” right to be able to use prepositions correctly later.
Masculine singular nouns
Masculine singular nouns beginning with most consonants use il for “the” . How do you know if a noun is masculine? Usually it is masculine if it ends in –o. A dictionary will tell you if a noun is masculine or feminine.
Il libro – the book
If the masculine singular noun begins with gn, ps, z or s plus another consonant, we use lo for “the”.
Lo zio – the uncle
Masculine singular nouns which begin with a vowel use l’.
L’amico – the [male] friend.
Feminine singular nouns
Most feminine nouns end in –a. La is used for “the “ with all feminine singular nouns which begin with a consonant.
La signora – the woman
Feminine nouns which begin with a vowel use l’.
L’amica – the [female] friend.
Now see if you can put the right form of “the” in front of these nouns.
_____ Americano;
_____ Americana;
_____ porto;
_____ piazza;
_____ zaino;
_____ economia;
_____ stadio;
_____ madre;
_____ sport;
_____ stampa.
Next week – plurals!
