la
The Word La
One little word for the, whatever the noun.
How It Works
The only article in Esperanto is la. It points to a particular thing that the listener knows.
| One | More than one | As the object |
|---|---|---|
| la libro | la libroj | la libron |
| la kato | la katoj | la katon |
La never takes an ending. It stands before the describing words: la granda domo, never granda la domo. A small word that shows place stands before la: en la domo.
Normal names of people and places take no la: Ana, Parizo, Japanio. When you speak about a whole kind, la is often left out: Leono estas besto (A lion is an animal).
Examples (4)
- La libro estas bona.
The book is good.
La points to a book that both of you know.
- La katoj dormas.
The cats are sleeping.
La stays the same before a plural noun.
- Ana havas la librojn.
Ana has the books.
La is the same before an object with -j and -n.
- Kenji estas en Japanio.
Kenji is in Japan.
Japanio is a name, so it takes no la.
Common Mistakes
Giving la a plural form.
Las katoj dormas.La katoj dormas.La never changes for number or for any other reason.
Putting la before a name.
La Ana havas katon.Ana havas katon.A normal name of a person takes no la.
How It Connects
Learn This First
La is the word that goes in front of a noun.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice la in Bubblegum
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