la (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

"la" is a definite article in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

/lɑː/

Translation Options into English

• "the" (feminine singular)

Meaning and Usage

In Spanish, "la" is used as a definite article that precedes feminine nouns. It indicates a specific instance of a noun that is known to the speaker and listener. It is the feminine equivalent of "el," which is the masculine definite article. The frequency of use for "la" is very high in both written and spoken Spanish, as definite articles are a fundamental part of the language's grammatical structure. It is used primarily in contexts where gender agreement with the noun is required.

Example Sentences

1. La casa es grande.
   The house is big.

2. La música es hermosa.
   The music is beautiful.

3. La profesora enseñó la lección.
   The teacher taught the lesson.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "la" itself is not typically featured in well-known idiomatic expressions, it does appear in various phrases that may convey specific meanings. Here are a few examples:

1. La vida es un carnaval.
   Life is a carnival.
   (This phrase suggests that life should be celebrated and enjoyed.)

2. La suerte está echada.
   The die is cast.
   (This expression means that a decision has been made and cannot be changed.)

3. La historia la escriben los vencedores.
   History is written by the victors.
   (This phrase reflects on the idea that those in power often shape the narratives of the past.)

4. La piel de gallina.
   Goosebumps.
   (This phrase describes a physical reaction often associated with fear or excitement.)

5. A la tercera va la vencida.
   The third time's the charm.
   (This phrase indicates that success may come after multiple attempts.)

Etymology

The word "la" derives from Latin "illa," which also carried the meaning of "that" or "she." Over time, in the evolution of the Spanish language, this word transformed into the definite article used today.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - "la" does not have direct synonyms as it is a specific grammatical article. However, it can be compared with "el," its masculine counterpart.

Antonyms: - Generally, there are no direct antonyms for "la," but one could argue that the masculine article "el" serves an opposite function in gender, signifying a masculine noun instead of a feminine one.