el
determinerBeginnerHigh frequency
What does “el” mean in English?
the
the (masculine singular definite article)
Example sentences
El café está caliente.
The coffee is hot.
Tengo el libro en casa.
I have the book at home.
How to use it
El is the masculine singular definite article: 'the'. It goes before masculine singular nouns, as in el café or el libro.
Common mistake
Do not confuse el with él. El without an accent means 'the'; él with an accent means 'he'.
Topics
Related Beginner words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (Butt, Benjamin & Moreira Rodríguez, Routledge), 3.