Voy al parque.
English: I go to the park.
- Language
- Spanish
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Posesión
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Spanish, 'al' and 'del' are contractions. They are formed by combining the prepositions 'a' (to) and 'de' (of/from) with the article 'el' (the, masculine singular).
When to use it
Use 'al' when you want to say 'to the' before a masculine singular noun. Use 'del' when you want to say 'of the' or 'from the' before a masculine singular noun.
Key forms
- a + el = al
- de + el = del
Examples
El libro es del profesor.
English: The book is the teacher's (of the teacher).
Camino al trabajo.
English: I walk to work.
La casa está cerca del río.
English: The house is near the river.
Tips
- Do not use 'a el' or 'de el' separately; always use 'al' and 'del'.
- Only use these contractions before masculine singular nouns (el).
- Do not make contractions with 'la', 'los', or 'las'.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Do not contract when 'el' is part of a proper name, for example: 'Voy a El Salvador.'