Italian Articles

Articles are a fundamental part of Italian grammar, and mastering them early will greatly improve both your comprehension and speaking skills. While English relies on a single definite article, Italian uses a more detailed system that changes based on gender, number, and pronunciation. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand not only which article to use, but also why it is used.

What Are Definite Articles?

Definite articles are used when referring to specific or known nouns—things that are clear to both the speaker and the listener.

In English, there is only one definite article: the.

In Italian, definite articles change depending on the gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or plural), and the first letter or sound of the noun that follows.

Singular:

• il is used for for masculine nouns
• la is used for for feminine nouns
• l’ is used for for words masculine or feminine that begin with a vowel or a silent h
• lo is used for for masculine nouns starting with certain specific sounds

Plural:

• i is used for for most masculine plural nouns
• le is used for for all feminine plural nouns
• gli is used for for masculine plural nouns that would take lo or l’ in the singular

Basic Usage

Masculine Singular il

Used before most masculine nouns that begin with a consonant:

Feminine Singular la

Used before feminine nouns that begin with a consonant:

Masculine Plural i

Used for the plural of most masculine nouns that begin with a consonant:

Feminine Plural le

Used for the plural of all feminine nouns:

L’ Before Vowels and H

When a singular noun masculine or feminine begins with a vowel or a silent h, use l’ instead of il or la:

Masculine Plural gli

If the singular used l’, the plural form will be gli:

Lo and Gli for Special Cases

Use lo for masculine singular nouns that begin with:

• Nouns starting with z, like zio or zaino.
• Nouns starting with s + consonant, like studente.
• Nouns starting with gn, ps, pn, x, y, or a silent h.

Examples:

In the plural, lo becomes gli:

Summary Table: Definite Articles

When to Use Definite Articles in Italian

Unlike English, Italian often uses definite articles in a general or abstract sense, even when English does not:

Even If the Noun Doesn’t Change, the Article Does

Some Italian nouns don’t change in the plural, but the article always does. Pay attention to this when using borrowed or shortened words:

Indefinite Articles

In English, the indefinite articles are a and an.

In Italian, the equivalents are:

• un is used for used before masculine nouns
• una is used for used before feminine nouns
• uno is used for used before masculine nouns starting with certain consonants
• un’ is used for used before feminine nouns beginning with a vowel or silent h

Examples with un masculine:

Examples with una feminine:

Uno Special Case for Masculine Nouns

Use uno instead of un before masculine nouns starting with: z, gn, ps, pn, s + consonant, x, or y

Examples with uno:

Un’ for Feminine Nouns Starting with a Vowel or H

Drop the final a of una and replace it with an apostrophe un’ before vowels or silent h.

Examples:

Partitive Articles

Partitive articles are used when you’re referring to an unspecified amount of something.

They are often translated into English as some or any.

In Italian, partitive articles are formed by combining the preposition di (of) with the definite article (il, la, etc.).

This combination creates a contracted form:

Partitive Article Forms

Examples of Partitive Articles: