larticolo

Larticolo, in Italian grammar, refers to the definite article. It marks definiteness and agrees with the noun in gender and number. It is placed before the noun and forms part of the noun phrase.

Forms and usage: The definite article has seven basic forms: il, lo, la, l' in singular, and i, gli, le in plural. The choice depends on gender and the initial sound of the following noun. For masculine singular: il before most consonant-initial nouns (il libro); lo before nouns starting with s plus a consonant, z, ps, pn (lo studente, lo zaino); l' before vowels (l'amico). For feminine singular: la before consonants (la casa); l' before vowels (l'acqua). In plural, masculine nouns take i before most consonants (i libri), while gli is used before nouns that begin with vowels or with s+consonant or z (gli amici, gli studenti, gli zii); feminine nouns take le (le case, le idee).

Function and nuance: The definite article signals a known reference and agrees with the noun in gender and number. It can combine with adjectives and other determiners within the noun phrase, and it can appear with certain proper nouns or geographic names in some contexts, though usage varies by region and style.

Origin: The forms descend from Latin demonstratives and the article system; l'articolo developed from ille/illa over centuries into the current il, lo, la, l', i, gli, le.

Relation to other articles: Italian also has an indefinite article (un, una) used for nonspecific reference; the definite article contrasts with it in indicating a known or previously mentioned noun.