Sunday

Definite Articles (plural)

I, LE, GLI, Plural definite articles on Via Optimae, http://www.viaoptimae.com/2014/05/definite-articles-plural.html


(how to say "THE" for plural nouns)



Previously in this series, we covered singular definite articles (how to say "THE" for singular nouns), so "the dog" is:

il cane


Then, we talked about regular noun endings, and how those change to form the plural, so "dogs" is:

e->i

cani

Now suppose we want to combine the two and say "the dogs."  

 ?  cani

For that, we need to learn the three plural definite articles and when to use them (hint: it's easy!) so go to page 11 of the BASICS Digital Workbook (link below) and let's get started!



(New to this series?… You may want to start with…)
|
|
\/

 ITALIAN BASICS:  
   (1) Indefinite Articles(How to say "A/AN")
   (2) Definite Articles (singular)(How to say "THE")
   (3) Pluralization, (How to make singular nouns plural)




Recapping on Masculine Articles/Plurals:



There are three singular, masculine, definite articles:

IL for most masculine nouns

L' for masculine nouns that begin with a vowel.

LO for masculine nouns that begin with z, s+consonant, ps, and gn.

Most masculine nouns end in o, which becomes i in the plural.

Some masculine nouns end in e, which becomes i in the plural.

il -> i 

If the noun takes IL in the singular, it takes I in the plural:
I, masculine plural definite article on Via Optimae, http://www.viaoptimae.com/2014/05/definite-articles-plural.html



il libro  ->   i libri
the book         the books    

il ragazzo  -> i ragazzi
the boy            the boys   

il giorno  ->  i giorni
the day              the days   






l' / lo ->  gli 

Any masculine noun that takes L' or LO in the singular takes GLI in the plural:  


GLI, masculine plural definite article and when to use on Via Optimae, http://www.viaoptimae.com/2014/05/definite-articles-plural.html



l'occhio  -> gli occhi
the eye                   the eyes   

l'albero  ->  gli alberi
the tree               the trees  

lo zaino  ->  gli zaini
the backpack              the backpacks  


lo sport  ->  gli sport
the sport                    the sports   


lo psicologo  ->  gli psicologi
the psychiatrist                  the psychiatrists    


lo gnocco  ->  gli gnocchi
the dumpling                   the dumplings   






Recapping on Feminine Articles/Plurals:


There are two singular, feminine, definite articles:

LA for most feminine nouns

L' for feminine nouns that begin with a vowel.

Most feminine nouns end in a, which becomes in the plural.

Some feminine nouns end in e, which becomes i in the plural.

la / l' ->  le


All feminine nouns take LE in the plural:

LE, feminine plural definite article on Via Optimae, http://www.viaoptimae.com/2014/05/definite-articles-plural.html



la cosa  ->   le cose
the thing               the things    

la ragazza  -> le ragazze
the girl                    the girls   

la casa  ->  le case
the house               the houses  


la birra  ->  le birre
the beer                the beers  


l'occasione  -> le occasioni
the occasion                  the occasions  

l'aranciata  ->  le aranciate
the orange sodas               the orange sodas







All of the definite articles, as well as when to use each can be summed up in the following chart:



Italian definite articles: IL, L', LO, LA, I, GLI, LE from Via Optimae,  http://www.viaoptimae.com/2014/05/definite-articles-plural.html





If you haven't done so already, fill-in the "Notes" section of the Definite Articles (Plural) worksheet on page 11 of  the Italian Basics digital workbook and then complete the quick exercises! (Submit your answers by email for free corrections!)


Preview of digital workbook: ITALIAN: THE BASICS Workbook, available exclusively to subscribers of viaoptimae.com Subscribe now: http://eepurl.com/MMic9


  —be the first to know about new lessons & worksheets! {Subscribe here!} 



Alex on www.viaoptimae.com




Ready for the next lesson in this series?






 Potrebbe pure interessarti….
  The Beginner's Italian Grammar Series, starting with:









Per l'amore della mamma

For the love of Mom


Buona festa della Mamma! (Happy Mother's Day!)


In honor of Moms around the world (and in particular mine— Ti voglio bene, mamma!) a collection of photos and dual-language quotes… use them to improve your Italian, share them with the Moms in your life, or just enjoy!


Per l'amore della mamma collage from Via Optimae, http://www.viaoptimae.com/2014/05/per-lamore-della-mamma.html

Check out the full board: "Per l'amore della mamma" on Pinterest (and be sure to connect with Via Optimae on Pinterest and Facebook to share your own Mom-related quotes and photos!)


I lillà — Lilacs (one of my mom's favorite flowers) image by LB as seen on Via Optimae http://www.viaoptimae.com/2014/05/per-lamore-della-mamma.html
Il lillà è uno dei fiori preferiti di mia madre. 
 The lilac is one of my mom's favorite flowers. 


Grazie di tutto, mamma!
Alex from www.viaoptimae.com

See also:

Frasi celebri su Via Optimae

Frasi celebri su Via Optimae
Acque del sud (To Have and Have Not) original: "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and… blow."