Mosaico Italiano

What is a Definite Article in Italian? 

In English, there’s only one definite article: “the.” However, in Italian, there are seven definite articles, and they change depending on the gender, number, and initial letter(s) of the noun. The Italian definite articles are: lo, il, l’, gli, i, la, and le. 

When and How to Use Definite Articles in Italian 

Definite articles are used in the following situations: 

• Referring to something specific or previously mentioned: For example, if you’ve been talking about a beach and now you want to ask where it is, you would say, “Dov’è la spiaggia?” (Where is the beach?), referring to a specific beach. 

• Talking about dates and times: 

• “Oggi è il 30 Aprile.” (Today is the 30th of April.) 

• “Sono le 16:00.” (It’s 4:00 PM.) 

• Referencing the names of certain countries and geographic areas: 

• “Il Po” (The Po River) 

• “La Francia” (France) 

• “Il Vesuvio” (Mount Vesuvius) 

Choosing the Right Definite Article 

To determine which of the seven definite articles to use, consider the noun’s first letter(s), gender, and number. The details are outlined below: 

Singular Masculine Nouns 

For singular masculine nouns, the definite article can be lo, il, or l’. The choice depends on the first letter of the noun: 

• Lo is used before singular masculine nouns that start with: 

• s + consonant (e.g., “lo scandalo” – the scandal) 

• z (e.g., “lo zio” – the uncle) 

• x (e.g., “lo xilofono” – the xylophone) 

• pn, ps (e.g., “lo pneumatico” – the tire) 

• gn (e.g., “lo gnocco” – the dumpling) 

• i or y followed by another vowel (e.g., “lo yogurt” – the yogurt) 

• Il is used before singular masculine nouns starting with any other consonant: 

• (e.g., “il fiore” – the flower, “il cane” – the dog). 

• L’ is used before singular masculine nouns starting with a vowel: 

• (e.g., “l’albero” – the tree, “l’attico” – the attic). 

Plural Masculine Nouns 

For plural masculine nouns, the definite article can be gli or i: 

• Gli is used before plural masculine nouns that start with: 

• s + consonant (e.g., “gli scandali” – the scandals) 

• z (e.g., “gli zii” – the uncles) 

• x (e.g., “gli xilofoni” – the xylophones) 

• pn, ps (e.g., “gli pneumatici” – the tires) 

• gn (e.g., “gli gnocchi” – the dumplings) 

• i or y followed by another vowel (e.g., “gli yogurt” – the yogurts) 

• a vowel (e.g., “gli uomini” – the men). 

• I is used before plural masculine nouns starting with any other consonant: 

• (e.g., “i fiori” – the flowers, “i libri” – the books). 

Singular Feminine Nouns 

For singular feminine nouns, the definite article can be la or l’: 

• La is used before singular feminine nouns starting with a consonant: 

• (e.g., “la casa” – the house, “la donna” – the woman). 

• L’ is used before singular feminine nouns starting with a vowel: 

• (e.g., “l’amica” – the friend, “l’isola” – the island). 

Plural Feminine Nouns 

For plural feminine nouns, the definite article is always le: 

• Le is used before plural feminine nouns starting with either a consonant or a vowel: 

• (e.g., “le case” – the houses, “le isole” – the islands). 

By understanding the gender, number, and initial letter(s) of a noun, you can choose the correct definite article in Italian.  

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank 

Fill in the blanks with the correct definite article: il, lo, l’, gli, i, la, le. 

1. ___ cane (the dog)
2. ___ amico (the friend, masculine)
3. ___ zaino (the backpack)
4. ___ case (the houses)
5. ___ specchio (the mirror)
6. ___ albero (the tree)
7. ___ donne (the women)
8. ___ uomini (the men)
9. ___ yogurt (the yogurt)
10. ___ fiori (the flowers) 

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice 

Choose the correct definite article for each noun. 

1. ___ studente (the student) 

• a) il 

• b) lo 

• c) l’ 

2. ___ pizza (the pizza) 

• a) il 

• b) la 

• c) l’ 

3. ___ università (the university) 

• a) il 

• b) la 

• c) l’

4.___ zii (the uncles) 

• a) i 

• b) gli 

• c) lo

5. ___ orologio (the clock) 

• a) il 

• b) l’ 

• c) la 

Exercise 3: Match the Article to the Noun 

Match each definite article to the appropriate noun. 

1. il 
2. lo 
3. l’ 
4. gli 
5. la 
6. le 
7. i 

___ amiche (the friends, feminine) 
___ libro (the book) 
___ zio (the uncle) 
___ elefante (the elephant) 
___ fiori (the flowers) 
___ uomini (the men) 
___ poltrona (the armchair) 

Exercise 4: Correct the Sentence 

Identify and correct the errors in the use of definite articles in these sentences. 

1. Gli ragazzo è alto. 
2. La amico di Marco è simpatico. 
3. Il case sono molto grandi. 
4. Lo donne sono intelligenti. 
5. L’uomini lavorano molto.