Il Diario di Diletta 6 The definite article

We translate our text:

Ho finalmente visto Valerio su Skype. 

I finally saw Valerio by Skype. 

Il collegamento era pessimo e la chiamata è stata molto breve.   

The connection was bad, and the call was very short.

Ma per me era importante sentire la sua voce.  

But for me it was important to hear his voice. 

Il momento del suo ritorno è vicino. 

The timing of his return is near.

Io conto i giorni e le ore. 

I count the days and hours.

Oggi gli argomenti del congresso non erano interessanti.   

Today, the conference topics were not interesting.

 Ho fatto lo sbaglio di sedermi in prima fila .  

I made the mistake to sit in the front row. 

Dovevo trattenere gli sbadigli.

I had to hold back the yawns.

In this text we look the several kinds of the Italian definite articles: la, le, lo, il, i, gli.
Now we explain better.

The article is very important in Italian. 

In the picture above you read the feminine definite article: 

the singular "LA"  for the feminine word 

that starts with a consonant

 

the singular "LA" that becomes " L' " 

for the feminine word that starts with a vowel 

 

the plural "LE" 

 

In the picture above you read the masculine definite article: 

the singular "IL"  for the majority of masculine words

that start with a consonant

 

the singular "LO" that becomes " L' " 

for the masculine word that starts with a vowel 

 

the singular "LO" 

used with masculine words that start with:
S + other consonant (lo spazio -  space)
X (lo xilofono  - xylophone)
Y (lo yogurt - yoghurt)
Z (lo zio - uncle)
PS (lo psicologo - psychologist)

PN (lo pneumatico - tire) *less common (you can use "il pneumatico")
GN (lo gnomo - gnome)