Articles are words placed before nouns. There are two types: a / an (indefinite articles) and the (definite article). Because this concept does not exist in Japanese, it is important to practice while paying attention to the rules.
Basic Rules
The indefinite articles a / an mean “one” or “a certain.” Use them with singular countable nouns mentioned for the first time. Use a before a word beginning with a consonant sound (a book, a university [a “yoo” sound]), and an before a word beginning with a vowel sound (an apple, an hour [h is silent, so it begins with a vowel sound]).
The definite article the is used with a noun limited to a particular thing, when both the speaker and listener understand that they mean the same thing. Use the when the noun is mentioned for the second time or later, for something that exists as only one in the world (the sun, the moon), or before a superlative or ordinal number (the best / the first), among other cases where its definiteness is clear.
Proper nouns, uncountable nouns, and plural nouns used in a general sense often take no article.
I saw a dog. The dog was very small. (I saw a dog. The dog was very small.)
She is an honest girl. (She is an honest girl.) ← h is silent, so honest begins with a vowel sound
The sun rises in the east. (The sun rises in the east.)
He is the tallest in his class. (He is the tallest in his class.)
※ Choose a / an according to the sound, not the letter.
Important Points
① The choice between a and an is determined by the first sound of the next word. Do not be misled by spelling: a university (a “yoo” sound), an hour (an “ow-er” sound), and an MVP (an “em” sound, beginning with a vowel sound).
② Use the when referring to something for the second time or later: “I bought a book yesterday. The book is interesting.” Use a for the first mention and the for the second mention.
③ play the piano / play soccer: use play the + instrument for musical instruments, and play + sport with no article for sports.
④ go to school / go to the school: use no article when meaning “attend school as a student,” and the when meaning “go to the school building.” Similarly, distinguish in bed (for sleeping) from on the bed (on top of the bed) according to whether you mean a state or a physical object.
- a / an: “first mention・non-specific singular”; the: “specific・limited noun”
- Choose a / an according to the pronunciation of the next word, not its spelling.
- Use the for things that exist as only one in the world (the sun, the moon).
- Always use the before superlatives and ordinal numbers.
- Use the with musical instruments and no article with sports.
Practice
- Fill in the blank with a / an / the: I have ___ apple. ___ apple is red.
- Write “He plays the piano and plays soccer” in English.
- Correct the error: She is honest girl.