Definite Article - The

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In Italian there are different ways of saying the word 'the' depending on the noun following it.

Masculine

il is used before masculine singular nouns beginning with a consonant.

E.G.

il libro - the book

Lo is used before masculine singular nouns beginning with 'Z', 'S plus a consonant', 'Y', 'GN' or 'PS'.

E.G.

lo student - the student

lo yogurt - the yogurt

lo psicologo - the psychologist

lo gnomo - the gnome

Feminine

L' is used before masculine or feminine singular nouns beginning with a vowel.

E.G.

L'astuccio - the pencil case

La is used before feminine singular nouns beginning with a consonant.

E.G.

La penna - the pen

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