ILGUR: Italian Language, Grammar and Usage Resource

A confusing aspect of Italian grammar for many students is when to use and when not to use the definite article in Italian. This topic has been covered previously on this site:

• General rules: http://ilgur.com/2010/02/19/lesson-004-definite-article-larticolo-determinativo
• Use of the article with people: http://ilgur.com/2008/09/04/lesson-160-use-of-the-definite-article-with-people
• Use of the article with geography: http://ilgur.com/2008/08/06/lesson-158-using-the-definite-article-with-geography
• Additional rules: http://ilgur.com/2006/11/30/lesson-70-more-on-the-definite-article-larticolo-definito

Below are some general rules on when the definite article is omitted in Italian:

- The article is generally omitted when nouns are used adverbially, such as in prepositional phrases:

in fretta | in a hurry
in comune | in common
a babbo morto
in manette | in handcuffs
di sera | in the evening
di notte | at night
senza zucchero | sugarless

- Often the article omitted with verb + noun expressions, such as:

avere fame | to be hungry
prendere freddo | to catch a chill
fare freddo | to be cold (outside)
cambiare casa | to move (house)

- In many idiomatic expressions, the definite article is left out:

salvare capra e cavoli | to have it both ways
fare piedino | to play footsie
rendere pan per focaccia | to give tit for tat

- When the preposition, di, is followed by a material, the article is not used:

di legno
d’oro
di cotone

- In expressions that use the preposition, da, the definite article is omitted:

vaso da notte | chamber pot
biglietto da dollaro | dollar bill
nano da giardino | garden gnome
carte da gioco | playing cards

- You’ll see articles omitted in newspaper headlines, advertisements and classifieds; this is done, presumably, to save space and to make headlines and ads shorter for our shorter attention spans; recently on La Nuova Sardegna, the following headline was posted: “Marea nera lungo le coste della Sardegna” | Black tide along the coast of Sardinia

- The definite article is omitted with interrogative adjectives (or determiners), indefinite adjectives, and demonstratives:

Che macchina vuoi comprare?

What car do you want to buy?

Non voglio questa casa!

I don’t want this house!

Quella roba costa troppo!

That thing costs too much.

Domani compro qualche francobollo.

Tomorrow I am buying some stamps.

The chart above shows the definite articles in Italian. The definite article is “the” in English. As you can see, Italian has various forms of “the” depending upon the gender and number of the noun it modifies, and its form is determined by the first letter of the noun (and also in some cases the adjective) that follows the definite article.

Some points to remember:

Il is the masculine, singular form for “the” and is used before consonants except for nouns that begin with a s + consonant, ps, gn, y or z. These nouns use the “lo” form of the definite article:

il ragazzo, i ragazzi
il burro, i burri note that this noun is typically collective and used only in singular
il tempo, i tempi

lo studente, gli studenti
lo zio, gli zii
lo sport, gli sport
lo yogurt, gli yogurt
lo gnocco, gli gnocchi
lo psicotico, gli psicotici

L’ is the form for masculine and feminine singular plural “the” when the noun begins with a vowel. Such as:

l’albergo, gli alberghi
l’ecologo, gli ecologi
l’ambiente, gli ambienti

l’anatra, le anatre
l’automobile, le automobili
l’ondata, le ondate
l’informazione, le informazioni

L’ is also the definite article used for words which may start with a consonant but have a vowel-like sound:

l’mp3, gli mp3 mp3 (generally in foreign words)

La is the definite article for feminine nouns:

la mela | the apple
la torta | the cake
la scarpa | the shoe

When an adjective precedes the nouns and follows the definite article, the “rules” change. The first letter of the word following directly after the definite article determines its form:

L’informazione è utile.
The information is useful.

La nuova informazione è utile.
The new information is useful.

Normally the l’ is the definite article for informazione. Because it is preceded by an adjective that begins with a consonant (in this case, an n), it uses a different form of the definite article.

Some other examples:

The other day
L’altro giorno (il giorno -> il altro giorno -> l’altro giorno)

The new student
Il nuovo studente (lo studente -> lo nuovo studente -> il nuovo student)

As you can see, because the article precedes an adjective that begins with a vowel, it requires the l’ form of the definite article.

For information on definite articles and how they combine with prepositions, click here.

Below are some guidelines and rules for use of the definite article with proper names of people:

1. The definite article is generally not used with the first names of people:

   Marco vuole comprare una nuova macchina.
   Marco wants to buy a new car.

   Cristina va in Spagna per tre settimane.
   Christina is going to Spain for three weeks.

2. When the first name of a person is modified by an adjective or another noun, generally a title or status, then the definite article generally is used:

   L’intelligente Daniela si è laureata tra 3 anni invece del solito 4 anni.
   The intelligent Daniela graduated within 3 years instead of the usual 4 years.
   
   L’imperatore Augusto ha dominato Roma per tanti anni.
   The emperor Augustus controlled Rome for many years.

3. When women are referred to only by their last name (surname or cognome, in Italian), the definite article is required:

   I paparazzi hanno seguito la Kidman ad un ristorante esclusivo a Milano.
   The paparazzi followed (Nicole) Kidman at an exclusive restaurant in Milan.

4. The definite article is required with the plural of family names:

   I Marconi sono andati in vacanza per l’estate.
   The Marconi family went on vacation for the summer.

   Dove abitano gli Sfiorini?
   Where does the Sfiorini family live?

5. The definite article is generally not used in front of masculine last names (cognomi). However, in journalistic writing and in government documents, you may encounter the definite article used with men, too.

   Take note also that the definite article is often used when men and women are described in the same context and then when the use of the definite article would help to avoid any ambiguity.

6. Very famous and well-known individuals who are generally known only by their last name generally do not require definite articles:

   Verdi, Garibaldi, Da Vinci, Pirandello

7. Some famous people do take the definite article, such as:

   l’Alferi, l’Aligheri, l’Ariosto, il Tasso

8. Nicknames of individuals that are adjectives used as nouns require the definite article:

   Il Rosso ha giocato bene ieri sera.
   The Red played well yesterday evening.

9. Adjectives that describe one’s place of birth or heritage used as nouns require the definite article:

   Il Bolognese ha scritto molte opere importanti.
   The Bolognese wrote many important works.
   (The writer from Bologna)
   
   Il Napoletano compose due concerti per il cembalo.
   The Neapolitan composed two concertos for the harpsichord.
   (The composer from Naples)

10. The definite (or the indefinite) article plus a last name of an artist, writer, etc. is often used to indicate an artist’s work or an artist’s style:

    Vedi il Tintoretto? Che bello!
    Do you see the Tintoretto? How beautiful!
    (il Tintoretto = il quadro di Tintoretto)
    

The definite article has a special set of rules when applied to geographic place names, such as cities, geographic formations, lakes, rivers, cities, locations within cities, etc.  The following rules below govern the use of the definite article:

The definite article is used with the names of continents, countries, and regions.  The continents (i continenti) are all feminine:

l’Africa

l’America meridionale| South America

l’America settentrionale | North America

l’Antartide | Antarctica

l’Asia

l’Europa

l’Oceania | Oceania, which includes Australia and nearby islands

The regions (le regione d’Italia) of Italy vary between masculine and feminine:

la Lombardia

la Campania

il Lazio

la Sicilia

il Veneto

il Piemonte

l’Emilia-Romagna

la Puglia

la Toscana

la Calabria

la Sardegna

la Liguria

le Marche

l’Abruzzo (m.)

il Friuli-Venezia Giulia

il Trentino-Alto Adige

l’Umbria (f.)

la Basilicata

il Molise

la Valle d’Aosta

When the names of continents, countries and regions are used with the preposition, in, the definite article is not used (exception: nel Veneto). However, if the name of the continent, country or region is modified by an adjective, then the definite article is used.

Vado in Molise per la mia vacanza.

I’m going to Molise for my vacation.

I ricercatori vivono in Antartide per studiare i pinguini.

The researches are living in Antarctica to study the penguins.

Mia sorella è andata nella magnifica Francia per la luna di miele.

My sister went to magnificent France for the honeymoon.

If the noun (country, city, etc.) used with the preposition, in, is plural, then the definite article is used:

Andremo negli Stati Uniti a marzo. Mio marito vuole visitare i suoi.

We will go to the United States in march. My husband wants to visit his parents.

The definite article is used with continents, countries and regions with all other prepositions:

Partono per la Francia domani mattina.

They are leaving for France tomorrow morning.

The definite article is omitted with cities unless they are modified by an adjective (exceptions: L’Aquila, La Spezia, Il Cairo). Remember that cities are generally feminine unless indicated otherwise: la Roma, la Milano, La Palermo.

Mi piace la vecchia Parigi con le strade antiche.

I like the old Paris with the ancient streets.

With quarters or neighborhoods within cities, the rule vary on whether or not to use the article. Take your lead from native speakers or what you read and hear.  Also, the names of the soccer teams always take the definite article. If the name of the team takes the adjectival form, then the team is feminine (for example, la Fiorentina). Otherwise, the teams are masculine (il Palermo, il Milan, L’Inter).  Note the exception for Rome: la Roma, la Lazio.

The article is optional for streets:

(La) Via Veneto è sempre magnifica a Natale.

Via Veneto is always magnficient at Christmas.

Omit the article when street names and piazza names are used with prepositions:

La mia amica abita in Via Cardoni 26.

My friend lives on Via Cardoni 26.

With the name of piazzas, the article is not used when the name of the piazza includes a family name. With other piazzas, the definite article is used:

L’ho vista nella Piazza del Plebiscito.

I saw her in the Piazza del Plebiscito.

Vuoi incontrare in Piazza Farnese?

Do you want to meet in the Piazza Farnese?

Small islands do not take definite articles, but there are exceptions: l’Elba, il Giglio. Large islands use definite articles: La Sicilia, La Sardegna, La Groelandia (exceptions: Cipro, Creta).  Island groups and archipelagoes use the definite article: le Eolie, le Canarie, le Baleari.

The definite article is used with mountains and mountain chains as well as with the names of rivers, lakes and seas. Rivers, lakes and seas are generally masculine.

Some prepositions in Italian contract with the definite article. These prepositions are called preposizioni articolate and apply to the following prepositions:

Con (with) may combine with the definite article, but this is usage is becoming non-standard. Per (for - has other idiomatic meanings) may combine with the definite article, but this is seen only in archaic Italian and some poetry. Tra and fra (among, between) never combine with the definite article.

MOLTO IMPORTANTE: The preposition and definite article always combine. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to assume it is to be combined. However, there are idiomatic exceptions where the definite article is omited or not combined with the preposition (unless it is modified by adjectives or other prepositional phrases). Below are some common expressions where the definite article is not combined with the preposition. Often there is very little rhyme or reason to this so take your cue from native speakers and Italian writing.

TAKE NOTE: When the noun in the expression below are modified, then the definite article is combined with the preposition. Some examples are shown below.

• con disappunto
  to the disappointment 

   

• in casa
  at home; in the house
  
• in classe (but nella piccola classe)
  in class
  
  
• in bagno
  in the bathtub, in the tub
  
• in biblioteca (but nella biblioteca dell’università)
  in the library 

• in bolletta
  in the bill 

• a casa
  at home 

• in campo
  in the field 

• in città
  in the city 

• in cucina
  in the kitchen
  Typically, when referring to location within a home, the definite article is not used:
  Siamo in salotto. = We are in the drawing room.
  
• in chiesa
  in church
  
• a letto
  in bed
  
• in caserma
  in the barracks 

• in montagna
  in the mountains
  
• in poltrona
  in the chair
  
• in ufficio
  at the office
  
• in banca
  in the bank, at the bank
  
• a teatro
  at the theatre
  
• in piscina
  in the pool
  
• in discoteca
  at the disco
  
• in ospedale
  at the hospital, in the hospital 

• in qualità
  in the quality 

• in tribunale
  in court, at court, before the court 

• una mancanza di, la mancanza di
  a lack of, the lack of
  you will often see this expression where the prepositon is simply followed by the noun
  i.e.: una mancanza di soldi, la mancanza di comunicazione 

• in agguato
  in/into a trap; in/into an ambush